President Donald Trump escalated tensions with Iran on Thursday, warning that the United States would launch another round of military strikes and reiterating his intention to take control of Kharg Island, the strategic oil-export hub that handles most of Iran’s crude shipments.
The threat came after a second consecutive day of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump signaled that additional attacks were imminent.
“The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” the president wrote.
He then expanded on a proposal that has surfaced repeatedly during the conflict, targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.
“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.
Kharg Island occupies a critical place in Iran’s economy. Roughly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports move through the island, making it one of the most valuable energy assets in the Persian Gulf. Analysts have long viewed any move against the facility as a potential turning point in the conflict.
Speaking later on Fox News’ “Fox and Friends,” Trump said he still favored taking control of the island but questioned whether Americans would support a broader escalation.
“Look, my preference has always been: Take Kharg Island,” he said.
Later in the interview, he added, “I don’t know that America has the stomach for that.”
The latest confrontation follows an incident near the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week, where Iranian forces shot down a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. Both American crew members were rescued and remain in stable condition, according to U.S. officials.
On Wednesday evening, U.S. Central Command announced what it described as “self-defense strikes” targeting Iranian surveillance systems, communications networks and air-defense positions.
“The strikes are in response to Iran’s unwarranted and continued aggression,” Centcom said in a statement. “U.S. forces remain vigilant, lethal and ready.”
Trump later claimed the U.S. military had intensified operations overnight.
The president told Fox News that American forces had “dropped $250 million worth of bombs” on Iranian targets and suggested that the next phase would be even larger.
“They’re really in submission. They just don’t know it yet,” he said of Tehran.
Despite the increasingly aggressive rhetoric, Trump indicated he remains reluctant to target infrastructure that directly affects civilians.
“Yeah, but I’d rather not do it because once you do that, the people suffer,” Trump continued. “Like, I heard you mentioning water. Water is really a devastating loss for them. I could do that in one minute, but the problem is the people won’t be able to drink water.”
Military operations have also expanded into maritime enforcement. In a Thursday update, Central Command said U.S. forces disabled an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman that was allegedly transporting Iranian oil in violation of a U.S.-enforced naval blockade.
According to Centcom, the vessel M/T Jalveer became the third commercial ship disabled this week and the 13th vessel intercepted since the blockade began on April 13.
“The blockade is being enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman,” the command said.
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