Donald Trump has reignited tensions in the Middle East by suggesting that the United States could seize Kharg Island, which is Iran’s main oil export hub, and take control of its crude supplies.
According to a report from the Financial Times, the former president told advisers and allies that he would prefer to “take the oil” from Iran, while indicating that multiple options remain under consideration.
His comments have sent shockwaves through global energy markets, pushing Brent crude above $115 a barrel amid fears of a broader escalation.
Kharg Island is a strategic target, handling approximately 90% of Iran’s crude exports, making it crucial to the country’s energy economy. Military analysts warn that attempting to occupy the island would be risky; the waters are heavily mined, and Iranian forces possess a significant arsenal of missiles and drones capable of threatening any landing operation.
Trump’s remarks come as the conflict in the Gulf enters its fifth week, following attacks by U.S. and Israeli forces on Iranian assets, along with the first missile strike by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The suggestion to seize Kharg Island represents a shift from punitive strikes to a direct effort to control Iran’s oil infrastructure, raising fears of a full-scale regional confrontation.
Financial markets reacted sharply, with oil prices surging and shipping insurers and traders preparing for potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil flows.
These comments also create a diplomatic dilemma for Washington’s allies. European powers, already divided over the conflict, must now consider whether to support or condemn a direct attempt to seize a sovereign nation’s economic lifeline.
For now, Trump’s statements remain rhetoric rather than action, but the implications are significant. Experts warn that any attempt to seize Kharg Island could trigger a prolonged global energy crisis, fracture NATO cohesion, and provoke Iranian retaliation across the Gulf.
As tensions rise, governments and markets are bracing for what could be the most dangerous phase of the conflict yet.
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