Trump Openly Considers Seizure of Iran’s Key Oil Export Terminal
US President Donald Trump has stated that American forces could “very easily” seize Iran’s Kharg Island, the strategic terminal handling the vast majority of the Islamic Republic’s oil exports. In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump did not rule out such an operation, framing it as an option to gain control over Iran’s oil industry and exports indefinitely, similar to the US approach following the January military raid in Venezuela.
Trump expressed a personal preference for taking control of Iran’s oil, criticizing domestic opponents who question the strategy. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, while acknowledging that any seizure would require a sustained US military presence on the island.
The comments come amid a visible buildup of US forces in the Middle East, which has sparked speculation about a potential ground operation targeting Iranian energy infrastructure. In response, Iranian military officials stated their forces were “waiting” for American troops and dared the US to “come closer,” accusing Washington of covert invasion planning while publicly discussing negotiations.
Iran has reportedly reinforced Kharg Island’s defenses with naval mines, man-portable air-defense systems, and FPV drone units. However, Trump dismissed the threat, stating, “I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily.”
This rhetoric follows the US-led operation in Venezuela that resulted in the removal of President Nicolas Maduro and the installation of an interim government aligned with Washington. Since then, the US has assumed control over Venezuelan crude exports, redirecting proceeds into restricted US Treasury accounts rather than the Venezuelan state. The interim Venezuelan president, Delcy Rodriguez, has also agreed to sell approximately $100 million in physical gold to the US, with those funds similarly managed by Washington.
Kharg Island is critical to Iran’s economy, serving as the primary export terminal for over 90% of its oil. Any US move to capture it would represent a dramatic escalation in long-standing tensions, potentially triggering a severe regional conflict and global disruption to energy markets. While Trump presented the option as straightforward, analysts note that seizing and holding the fortified island would constitute a major combat operation with significant geopolitical risks. The situation underscores the fragile state of US-Iran relations and the potential for military action to reshape energy security dynamics in the Middle East.
