Live updates: Trump raises prospect of taking Iran’s oil and again weighs seizing Kharg Island

Trump threatens Iran oil seizure amid Kharg Island talks

Muhammad Asghar | GlobalBeat

President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of seizing Iran’s oil facilities and taking control of Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export terminal.

Administration officials revealed discussions about potential military action targeting Iranian oil infrastructure and the strategic island in the Persian Gulf that handles 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports.

The threats mark a dramatic escalation in tensions between Washington and Tehran, coming weeks after Trump ordered missile strikes against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Iran has long warned that any attack on its oil facilities would be considered an act of war that could destabilize global energy markets.

Kharg Island, located about 25 kilometers off Iran’s coast, processes more than 5 million barrels of crude oil daily and serves as Iran’s primary revenue source. Its capture would effectively paralyze Tehran’s ability to fund its military and regional proxy groups across the Middle East.

White House officials confirmed that Trump raised the possibility during a national security meeting on Tuesday. “The president asked about our options for securing Iranian oil assets and specifically mentioned Kharg Island,” a senior administration official told reporters on condition of anonymity.

Defense Secretary Chris Miller said military planners were reviewing contingency scenarios. “The president wants a full range of options for dealing with Iranian aggression,” Miller told the Associated Press. “We’re evaluating what’s feasible and what would serve American interests.”

Oil markets reacted instantly to the reports. Brent crude futures surged 5 percent to $93 per barrel, while U.S. oil jumped to $89. Energy analysts warned that actual military action could send prices above $120 within days.

Trump has previously floated the idea of taking oil from hostile nations. During his campaign, he suggested that the U.S. should “keep the oil” when conducting military operations in the Middle East. His administration has also imposed crippling sanctions on Iranian oil exports since re-entering office.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi delivered a stark warning to Washington. “Any attack on Iranian territory, including our oil facilities, will be met with immediate and overwhelming retaliation,” Araghchi told state television. “The consequences would be felt across the entire region and beyond.”

The Pentagon faces logistical challenges in seizing Kharg Island. The facility sits in waters within range of Iranian anti-ship missiles and lies roughly 1,000 miles southeast of the nearest major U.S. base in Bahrain. Analysts question whether American forces could hold the island without a massive naval deployment.

Regional allies expressed alarm at the prospect. Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman called for restraint, telling reporters that “any interruption to oil shipments through the Persian Gulf would devastate global energy security.” The Emirates issued similar warnings about potential disruptions to shipping lanes.

Background

Iran’s Kharg Island has served as the country’s primary oil export hub since the 1950s, when Tehran shifted operations there from Abadan after nationalization disputes. The complex includes massive storage tanks, pipelines linking to mainland fields, and facilities capable of loading super-tankers within 24 hours.

U.S.-Iran tensions over oil date back to the 1979 revolution. Washington imposed the first oil embargo after embassy staff were taken hostage. Each subsequent conflict has seen threats against Iranian energy infrastructure, from the Tanker Wars of the 1980s to more recent sanctions designed to block Tehran’s oil exports.

What’s Next

Congressional leaders from both parties have called for classified briefings on the administration’s Iran planning. Senate Foreign Relations Committee members from both parties said they would hold hearings next week on any potential military action, with Democrats warning against unauthorized warfare.

European allies await Washington’s next move while frantically seeking diplomatic channels. The timing remains unclear, but oil traders are bracing Trump’s administration to either act before markets reopen Monday or face pressure to withdraw the threat entirely after domestic criticism mounts.