Trump Warns U.S. Will Hit Iran ‘Very Hard Tonight,’ Threatens to Take Kharg Island and Oil Infrastructure

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened a major escalation in tensions with Iran, warning that the United States would strike the country “very hard tonight” and suggesting Washington could seek control over strategic Iranian oil infrastructure, including the critical Kharg Island export terminal.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, come during a rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Middle East following two days of military exchanges between the United States and Iran, raising fresh concerns about the possibility of a broader regional conflict.

“The United States will be hitting Iran very hard tonight,” Trump wrote, claiming that much of Iran’s military and defensive capabilities had already been severely weakened.

Trump further stated that the U.S. could eventually “take” Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure sites, asserting that Washington would assume control of Iran’s oil and gas markets. Kharg Island is considered one of Iran’s most strategically important energy assets, handling roughly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports.

In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Trump said gaining control of Kharg Island had long been his preferred option, although he expressed reservations about deploying American ground forces inside Iran.

The comments were made as diplomatic efforts appeared increasingly fragile. Iranian officials argued that recent U.S. military actions had effectively undermined ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a lasting ceasefire.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, described the latest American strikes as a “widespread and utter nullification” of the ceasefire process.

According to Iranian media reports, recent U.S. attacks targeted several locations across the country, including the port city of Bandar Abbas, Qeshm Island, Sirik, Minab, and areas near Tehran.

Iran has responded with attacks targeting U.S. military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan. Trump has also accused Tehran of shooting down an American helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week.

Following the latest escalation, Iran announced the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints for global energy supplies. The waterway carries a significant share of internationally traded oil and natural gas, making any disruption a major concern for global markets.

Despite weeks of signals from Washington that a diplomatic breakthrough may be near, 

significant disagreements reportedly remain over Iran’s nuclear program, the future status of the Strait of Hormuz, and access to frozen Iranian assets.

Analysts say the Trump administration is seeking to increase pressure on Tehran ahead of any potential agreement, while Iran is attempting to re-establish deterrence following recent military strikes.

Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies, said Washington appears to be escalating military pressure to gain leverage in negotiations, while Tehran is responding forcefully to discourage future attacks.

Meanwhile, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that any damage inflicted by Iran on American allies in the Gulf would be compensated through Iranian frozen assets, estimated at approximately $100 billion worldwide.

The latest developments have drawn growing international concern. India called on Washington to halt military operations after three Indian crew members were reportedly killed in a U.S. strike on a vessel operating in the region.

With military action intensifying and diplomatic channels under strain, fears are mounting that the confrontation could evolve into a wider conflict with significant consequences for regional stability, global energy markets, and international security.

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