Donald Trump has said he would prefer to “take the oil in Iran” and floated the possibility of the US seizing the country’s key export hub, Kharg Island, as Washington ramps up its military presence in the Middle East.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said capturing Iran’s oil infrastructure was a preferred option, despite criticism back home. He added that multiple military scenarios were under consideration, including a potential move on Kharg Island, through which most of Iran’s oil exports pass.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump said, suggesting that such an operation could require a sustained US presence.
The remarks come as thousands of additional American troops are being deployed to the region, including Marines and units from the 82nd Airborne Division, amid an expanding conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.
Analysts warn that any attempt to seize Kharg Island would carry significant risks, potentially escalating the war further and disrupting global energy markets. Oil prices have already surged sharply, with Brent crude rising above $116 a barrel amid mounting tensions.
The conflict has widened beyond Iran and Israel in recent days. A strike on a US air base in Saudi Arabia injured American personnel and damaged military equipment, while Houthi rebels launched a missile toward Israel, raising fears of a broader regional escalation.
Despite the military buildup, Trump said indirect talks with Tehran—reportedly mediated through Pakistan—were making progress. He indicated Iran had been given a deadline to reach a deal or face further US strikes on its energy infrastructure.
Trump also claimed that Iran had allowed additional oil tankers safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz as a goodwill gesture during negotiations.
In a further controversial assertion, Trump said Iran had effectively undergone a leadership shift following the deaths of senior figures, including Ali Khamenei, though such claims remain unverified.
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