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UNITED STATES President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of seizing Iran’s principal oil export hub, even as tentative diplomatic efforts continue, in remarks that underscore the volatile intersection of military escalation and energy security in the widening Middle East conflict.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump openly outlined his preference for targeting Iran’s oil sector, suggesting that control of Kharg Island — through which the vast majority of the country’s crude exports flow — could be a strategic objective.
“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘Why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people,” he said.
He added that such an operation remained under consideration, stating: “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” while acknowledging that any move would likely require a sustained American presence.
The remarks come amid an intensifying military build-up in the region, with thousands of additional US troops deployed and naval assets positioned near critical shipping lanes.
Kharg Island, described as the backbone of Iran’s energy exports, has emerged as a focal point in strategic calculations, with any attempt to seize it likely to mark a significant escalation requiring US forces to enter Iranian territory.
At the same time, Trump indicated that negotiations with Tehran were continuing through both direct and indirect channels, expressing cautious optimism about a possible agreement while conceding uncertainty over the outcome.
He reiterated that the United States was engaging Iran “directly and indirectly” and said he was “pretty sure” a deal could be reached, though “it’s possible we won’t”.
The president also claimed that Iran had taken steps signalling goodwill, including allowing oil shipments to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“And now, today, they gave us, as a tribute — I don’t know, I can’t define it exactly, but they gave us, I think out of a sign of respect, 20 boats of oil — big, big boats of oil — going through the Hormuz Strait,” he said.
However, AlJazeera cited on Monday that Tehran has responded with stark warnings.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, earlier cautioned that any attempt to impose terms or deploy ground forces would be met with forceful retaliation. “As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation,” he said.
The competing signals — diplomatic overtures alongside explicit military options — reflect the broader trajectory of a conflict that has already spread across the region, disrupted global energy flows and driven oil prices sharply higher.
Analysts warn that targeting Kharg Island, a critical node in global oil supply, could deepen market instability and prolong the war, even as negotiations continue behind the scenes. - March 30, 2026