Source: Africa Publicity
President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened a major escalation in the ongoing conflict with Iran, declaring in a Truth Social post that the United States would strike Iranian targets “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and later move to seize key elements of the country’s oil infrastructure.
“The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote.
Trump also signaled plans for a broader effort to control Iran’s oil sector, specifically naming Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub in the Persian Gulf.
“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and gas markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” he said.
The remarks came amid intensifying military exchanges between Washington and Tehran that have already undermined a fragile ceasefire reached earlier this year. Reuters reported that U.S. and Iranian forces exchanged strikes for a second consecutive day Thursday, while regional tensions continued to rise across the Persian Gulf.
Kharg Island has emerged as a central focus in the conflict because it handles the vast majority of Iran’s crude oil exports. Trump has repeatedly referenced the island in recent months, previously claiming U.S. forces had “obliterated every MILITARY target” there during earlier bombing raids while sparing energy infrastructure.
Iranian officials had not immediately issued a formal response to Trump’s latest comments Thursday. However, Iranian forces have recently launched retaliatory strikes against U.S. targets in the region following renewed American military operations.
The president’s statement is expected to heighten concerns over global oil supplies and the possibility of a wider regional war involving shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy transit routes.
