Amidst escalating conflict, President Trump outlines a strategy to secure Iranian oil assets by seizing Kharg Island, while setting an April 6 deadline for Tehran to negotiate peace.
US President Donald Trump has indicated that Washington could move to seize Kharg Island, Tehran's primary oil export hub, as the military presence in the Middle East intensifies. Speaking to the Financial Times, the President stated his preference would be to "take the oil in Iran," drawing a direct parallel to the US approach in Venezuela. This announcement arrives as the US-Israel conflict with Iran drives global oil prices to their highest levels since the fighting began.
During the interview, Trump noted that "some stupid people" in the US question this approach, yet he maintained that capturing the island would allow for indefinite control similar to the strategy in Venezuela. The President highlighted that Brent crude climbed above $116 per barrel on Monday, signaling the severe economic impact of the escalating region-wide crisis. While Trump expressed confidence that the island lacks significant defense, he acknowledged that capturing Kharg would require a prolonged US presence, suggesting, "It would also mean we had to be there for a while."
To support potential operations, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of approximately 10,000 personnel trained for ground operations, including the specific task of seizing and holding territory. Roughly 3,500 troops arrived on Friday, with about 2,200 of them being Marines. Additional reinforcements, including another 2,200 Marines and thousands more from the 82nd Airborne Division, are currently en route. Despite the logistical readiness, Trump admitted the move carries significant risks, potentially leading to higher US casualties and extending the duration and cost of the conflict. He stated, "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options," suggesting the decision remains fluid.
The situation on the ground has deteriorated rapidly. An attack on a Saudi air base on Friday resulted in injuries to 12 American personnel and caused damage to a US E-3 Sentry surveillance aircraft valued at $270 million. Simultaneously, Houthi forces in Yemen launched a ballistic missile toward Israel, raising fears of a broader escalation that could further deepen the global energy crisis. Amidst this volatility, Trump reiterated his assertion that he could take the island very easily, stating, "I don't think they have any defence."
Trump also revealed that indirect negotiations conducted through Pakistani intermediaries are progressing. He set a strict deadline of April 6 for Tehran to agree to terms to end the conflict or face continued US strikes targeting its energy infrastructure. When asked about a potential ceasefire that might reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route, Trump did not offer specific details. Instead, he noted, "We've got about 3,000 targets left - we've bombed 13,000 targets - and another couple of thousand targets to go," adding that a deal could be made "fairly quickly."
Regarding the current state of Iranian leadership, Trump claimed that the country has effectively undergone "regime change" following the killing of longtime Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. He asserted, "The people we're dealing with are a totally different group of people... They are very professional." Trump further stated that the new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Ali Khamenei, may be dead or seriously injured, noting, "The son is either dead or in extremely bad shape. We've not heard from him at all. He's gone."
In a claim that could not be independently verified, Trump suggested Iran had offered a diplomatic "present" by allowing Pakistan-flagged oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He stated the number of ships had increased from 10 to 20, with the additional vessels proceeding directly through the center of the strait. Trump attributed the authorization of these shipments to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, claiming, "He's the one who authorised the ships to me." He added that while skeptics previously dismissed his claims of a "present," the negotiations are now proceeding well, as the recipients of the "gift" have "kept their mouth shut."
Tehran, however, has firmly rejected these narratives regarding the internal state of its government. The Iranian leadership maintains that the country's structure remains intact, insisting that the Supreme Leader is safe despite his continued absence from public view. This lack of public appearances has fueled speculation about his condition, even as the US President insists on the reality of a shattered command structure.
The potential US capture of Kharg Island represents a pivotal escalation in the Middle East conflict, moving beyond targeted strikes to territorial acquisition. If the US proceeds with the plan to seize Kharg Island, the immediate effect would be the disruption of the bulk of Iran's oil exports, likely triggering further volatility in global energy markets. The timeline for the operation is compressed by the April 6 deadline, suggesting a high probability of military action if negotiations fail. The disparity in claims regarding the Iranian leadership-Trump's assertion of a non-existent or incapacitated regime versus Tehran's insistence on stability-creates a significant diplomatic blind spot. If the US occupies the island, the prolonged military presence required, as acknowledged by Trump, could result in a drawn-out conflict with substantial human and financial costs, fundamentally altering the strategic landscape of the region for an indefinite period.
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