Washington DC, March 30 — In an interview with the Financial Times, US President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States could seize Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub, if it chose to. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, adding, “I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily.”
Trump also expressed a willingness to seize Iranian oil, dismissed domestic critics as “stupid people,” and acknowledged that any operation “would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.” He compared the idea to US policy toward Venezuela, suggesting such assets could be held “indefinitely,” according to the Financial Times.
Despite the threats, Trump said he remained optimistic about reaching a deal with Iran, citing “very good negotiations” and noting that Iran had allowed 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz — which he described as a “sign of respect.” Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, he said, “I do see a deal in Iran, yeah. Could be soon.” He also claimed the US had destroyed “many, many targets today” while engaging with Iran “directly and indirectly.”
Separately, Iran’s acting defence minister, Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza, spoke by phone with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler amid the wider West Asia tensions. Iranian state media Press TV quoted General Reza condemning what he called “brutal military aggression” against Iran and saying such actions violated international law.
This report is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received; the publisher assumes no responsibility for its accuracy or completeness.
