Trump threatens to take control of Iran’s Kharg Island oil hub

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Washington could take control of Iran’s oil resources, including Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export terminal, in remarks that sharply raised tensions across the Gulf.

Trump said in an interview with the Financial Times that the United States was considering a strategy similar to its approach in Venezuela, arguing that long-term control over oil infrastructure could serve American interests. He said Iran’s defenses around Kharg Island were weak and suggested U.S. forces could seize the island if necessary.

His comments came as Iranian officials warned that signs of preparation for a possible U.S. ground operation were increasing, cautioning that any attempt to escalate the war could trigger a much wider regional crisis. Tehran has repeatedly said that pressure on its territory or strategic facilities would invite retaliation beyond its borders.

Kharg Island is one of Iran’s most critical energy assets and has long served as the main outlet for a large share of the country’s crude exports. Any direct move against it would carry major consequences not only for Iran, but also for global oil markets already shaken by war-related disruption.

The remarks also came as the conflict’s spillover intensified across the Gulf. Kuwait said an Indian worker was killed in an attack on an Iranian-linked power and desalination facility, underlining how civilian and industrial infrastructure across the region is increasingly being drawn into the confrontation.

Across the Gulf, governments have also reported repeated interceptions of missiles and drones in recent days, while shipping and energy routes remain under pressure. The wider conflict has increased fears that strategic chokepoints and oil infrastructure could become direct military targets if the war expands further.

The current crisis has already sent Brent crude sharply higher and fueled concern over supply shocks, inflation and broader financial instability. Markets are increasingly reacting not just to battlefield developments, but also to the possibility of a prolonged disruption to the Gulf’s energy network.

At the same time, the political risk for Washington is also rising. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most Americans believe Trump may send ground troops into Iran, while public support for such a move remains extremely low. That has added pressure on the White House as it balances military threats with talk of possible diplomacy.

Overall, Trump’s latest remarks have injected fresh uncertainty into an already volatile regional war, where military escalation, energy security and global economic stability are becoming increasingly intertwined.

If rhetoric around seizing oil assets turns into operational planning, analysts warn the result could be a dramatic expansion of the conflict, one that would reach far beyond Iran and affect the entire Gulf region.

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