US President Donald Trump has openly expressed interest in taking control of Iranian oil reserves, raising international concerns as Washington boosts its military presence in the Persian Gulf. His remarks have reignited fears of a major escalation in the Middle East conflict.
In a revealing interview with the Financial Times, Trump dismissed critics at home as “stupid people” and proposed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal. This statement comes at a sensitive time for global diplomacy, with the White House publicly claiming that indirect negotiations through Pakistani intermediaries are progressing productively. Meanwhile, the tone from the Oval Office suggests the Pentagon is considering a more aggressive military approach.
Kharg Island, strategically positioned in the Persian Gulf, handles over 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. Trump indicated that a ground operation to capture the island could be executed “very easily,” asserting that the site has minimal defenses against US forces. He stated, “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” but acknowledged that such an operation would require American troops to remain on Iranian soil “for a while.”
Military experts warn that any attempt to seize and hold this critical infrastructure would represent a point of no return, likely triggering a prolonged and bloody ground conflict in the region.
In Tehran, the response combined defiance with skepticism. Iranian Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned the President’s claims of ongoing peace talks as “fake news” aimed at manipulating unstable global markets. He warned that Iranian forces are prepared and “waiting” for any American ground incursion, pledging fierce resistance to any attempt to occupy the oil facilities.
The US military footprint in the Middle East continues to grow, with thousands of Marines and units from the 82nd Airborne Division recently deployed to the region. Despite the aggressive rhetoric, Trump has set a deadline of April 6 for a “total resolution,” leaving the world uncertain whether the coming days will see a negotiated ceasefire or a historic US move to seize Iran’s energy assets.
