'US Will Hit Very Hard Tonight': Trump Eyes Control Of Iran's Kharg Island, Oil Exports
'US Will Hit Very Hard Tonight': Trump Eyes Control Of Iran's Kharg Island, Oil Exports Published By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 18:27 IST In
'US Will Hit Very Hard Tonight': Trump Eyes Control Of Iran's Kharg Island, Oil Exports Published By, Last Updated: June 11, 2026, 18:27 IST In one of his starkest warnings yet, Trump said the US will take Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, along with other oil infrastructure plants. US President Donald Trump. (AFP Photo) US President Donald Trump on Thursday declared that the United States will strike Iran “very hard tonight", further dampening hopes of a quick end to the war as renewed hostilities reignited fears of a wider escalation. In one of his starkest warnings yet, Trump said the US will take Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub, along with other oil infrastructure plants. He said the US will assume “total control" over Iran’s oil and gas markets, just like Venezuela. “The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT," he said on his Truth Social platform. “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America," he added.
Trump’s remarks came amid heightened tensions after the United States and Iran traded air attacks on Thursday, after he expressed frustration with Iran’s refusal to accept his terms for a peace deal. Trump had threatened more strikes if Tehran does not immediately agree to a peace deal, although Iran has warned of a harsh response against the use of force. ALSO READ: Iran Ceasefire On The Brink: Why Is Trump Bombing Tehran Again? Why Is Kharg Island Important For Iran? Kharg Island is Iran’s main crude export hub that came under attack by the United States in early April. The small island handles the bulk of the country’s oil exports and fuels the country’s economy, and any disruptions there would significantly repercussions for Tehran’s energy trade. Kharg Island lies about 16 miles (26 km) off Iran’s coast in the northern Gulf, roughly 300 miles (483 km) northwest of the Strait of Hormuz. Its deep waters allow large tankers to dock, unlike Iran’s shallow mainland coast. Due to its strategic importance, access to Kharg is strictly limited, and it is heavily guarded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The US had explored options involving a seizure of the Kharg Island with a ground invasion, although the plan had not materialised due to the April 8 ceasefire. US officials have long warned of significant risks involved in a ground invasion, including a large number of American casualties, as it would place them in the range of Iranian missile systems. It was also reported that Iran had been laying traps around the island to deter US forces from attempting a siege. Iran Ceasefire In Danger The renewed hostilities pose the most serious threat to a ceasefire agreed upon in April and weakened hopes that the war that has heavily disrupted global crude markets would come to an end after repeated assurances from Trump. Oil prices rose nearly $3 after Trump threatened to launch more attacks if Iran failed to strike a deal. On the other hand, Iran said it had closed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, for all vessels. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18.
The BriefWire