WASHINGTON (Realist English). Amid fresh exchanges of strikes in the Persian Gulf, US President Donald Trump has declared his intention to deliver a “very strong” blow to Iran and, in the “not too distant future,” seize the key Iranian oil terminal — Kharg Island.
At the same time, Trump admitted he was unsure whether American society had the “stomach” for such an operation. According to Reuters, Trump also stated on his Truth Social account that Iran had already been subjected to powerful attacks earlier in the day.
The new threats came as Iranian Navy Commander Admiral Shahram Irani announced heightened control over the Persian Gulf and a complete blockade of the strategic strait.
Kharg Island: The “Achilles Heel” of Iran’s Economy
The small coral island of Kharg is located 25 km off the coast of Iran in the northern Persian Gulf. Despite its modest size (only about 8 km long), this speck of land is called the “economic artery” and “heart” of Iran’s oil industry. According to Western analysts and tracking companies, up to 90% of all Iranian crude oil exports — about 1.7 million barrels per day before the war — pass through Kharg’s terminals.
The island is equipped with a system of long jetties capable of accommodating VLCC supertankers, as the waters here are deep enough, unlike much of Iran’s shallow coastline.
The oil storage capacity on the island is estimated at about 30–31 million barrels. In January of this year, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid explicitly stated that destroying this terminal would “break Iran’s economy and lead to the regime’s collapse,” underscoring the facility’s strategic importance.
Preparation for Attack and Risks for the US
According to intelligence obtained by US media, Iran has already prepared for a possible amphibious assault. It was reported that additional weapons had been installed on the island, including man‑portable air defence systems (MANPADS), as well as engineering obstacles and traps.
However, as the Pentagon notes, seizing Kharg carries significant risks for the Americans themselves. The island is located just 33 km (21 miles) from the Iranian coast, within range of Iranian missiles, artillery and drones.
Moreover, according to CNN, military advisors have warned Trump that controlling Kharg would require “a significant number of ground troops” and would “likely lead to heavy casualties.” The US leader himself acknowledged public doubts in a Fox News interview.
“I would prefer that. But I’m not sure America has the stomach for it. I want the soldiers to come home, but we did it with Venezuela. With Venezuela it worked out great for everyone,” Trump said, commenting on plans for Kharg.
As an alternative to a full‑scale invasion, Trump suggested the possibility of landing a “small group of soldiers” that, in his view, could quickly take control of the facility.
Strikes on Tankers and Naval Blockade
Amid the escalation, the US Navy continues to tighten its blockade of Iranian ports. Shelling of the tanker Settebello (Palau‑flagged) was reported in the Gulf of Oman. Earlier, strikes were carried out against the vessels Marivex and Jalveer, which, according to the US side, were attempting to break the blockade. These attacks resulted in the deaths of three Indian sailors, sparking a diplomatic scandal.
Tehran’s Response
In Tehran, the US president’s threats were dismissed as bluff. The head of the Iranian parliament’s National Security Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, stated that any “wrong steps” by Washington would be met with an “historic response.”
“The armed forces are at maximum combat readiness, security is ensured throughout the country,” the Iranian press quoted him as saying.
Risks for the Global Oil Market
Experts warn that even threats against Kharg destabilise global energy markets. Any disruption to this terminal, through which a huge share of crude oil passes, would inevitably cause a spike in world fuel prices.
Analysts at Rystad Energy previously predicted that in the event of escalation or a direct strike on infrastructure, Brent could soar to $150 per barrel.
