U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated that American forces may seize Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil facility, amid intensifying tensions in the Middle East.
In an interview published early Monday by the Financial Times, Trump said, “We may take Kharg Island, or we may not. We have many options.” He added that such a move would likely require U.S. forces to remain stationed on the island for a considerable period.
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf, serves as Iran’s primary oil export hub and is considered strategically vital due to its central role in global energy supply.
In the same interview, Trump claimed that Iran has agreed to allow 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz over the next few days. He described the move as a “sign of respect” from Tehran. However, he cautioned that the situation remains unpredictable,
stating, “We negotiate with them, but sometimes we also have to bomb them.”
The ongoing conflict has resulted in a rising death toll. More than 1,900 people have reportedly been killed in Iran, over 1,200 in Lebanon, and at least 19 in Israel. In addition, 13 U.S. military personnel and several civilians in the Gulf region have lost their lives.
The war has also displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Iran and Lebanon, raising concerns about a deepening humanitarian crisis and the risk of broader regional escalation.
