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Trump Eyes Iran's Oil Hub: "We Could Take Kharg Island Very Easily"

US President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could easily seize Iran's critical oil export facility on Kharg Island. He openly stated his desire to "take the oil in Iran," dismissing domestic opponents of such a move. Despite these aggressive remarks, Trump also expressed optimism about a potential deal with Iran, citing ongoing negotiations. Meanwhile, Iran's acting defence minister condemned recent US military actions as a "brutal military aggression."

Key Points: Trump Hints at Seizing Iran's Kharg Island Oil Hub

  • Trump hints at seizing Iran's key oil export hub
  • Dismisses domestic critics as "stupid people"
  • Suggests potential for indefinite control
  • Simultaneously cites "very good negotiations" with Iran
  • Iran condemns US "brutal military aggression"
3 min read

"We could take Kharg Island very easily": Trump hints at seizing Iran's oil hub

President Trump suggests the US could easily capture Iran's key oil export facility on Kharg Island, drawing parallels to Venezuela policy.

"We could take it very easily. - Donald Trump"

Washington DC, March 30

US President Donald Trump on Sunday hinted that Washington could seize Iran's key oil export hub on Kharg Island in an interview with the Financial Times newspaper.

He told the Financial Times, "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options." Underscoring the strategic importance of the island, Trump said, "I don't think they have any defence. We could take it very easily," suggesting the facility could be captured with minimal resistance.

Trump also openly voiced his broader objective regarding Iran's energy resources. He told the Financial Times, "To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say, 'Why are you doing that?' But they're stupid people," while dismissing domestic criticism, adding that opponents of such a move are "stupid people."

He further indicated that any potential operation could require a sustained US presence. " It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while, " Trump told the Financial Times.

Drawing a parallel with US policy in Venezuela, Trump said Washington could pursue long-term control over oil assets, saying it could be held "indefinitely", Financial Times reported.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he's optimistic about a deal with Iran, citing "very good negotiations" and Iran allowing 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "sign of respect".

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Trump said, "I do see a deal in Iran, yeah. Could be soon."

"So we've had very good negotiations today with Iran, getting a lot of the things that they should have given us a long time ago. See how it works out, but they're very good, moving along very nicely. And they've destroyed a lot of additional targets today. The Navy's gone, the Air Force's gone, we know that. We've destroyed many, many targets today. It was a big day. And we are negotiating with them directly and indirectly," he said further.

Earlier, Iran's Acting Defence Minister Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Ibn Reza held a key telephone conversation with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler amid the ongoing West Asia conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media Press TV.

During the call on Sunday evening, General Reza strongly condemned the "brutal military aggression" against Iran, calling it a clear violation of international law and fundamental principles of the global system, according to Press TV.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The language is so aggressive! Talking about taking another country's resources "indefinitely" like Venezuela? This sets a dangerous precedent. India has always believed in sovereignty and peaceful resolution of disputes. This feels like old-school colonialism in a new package.
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Aman W
Mixed signals here. On one hand, he's threatening seizure, on the other, he's talking about good negotiations and a possible deal soon. Creates so much uncertainty in the market. Our planning for energy imports becomes a nightmare with this kind of rhetoric.
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Sarah B
While I understand the strategic importance, constantly calling critics "stupid people" is not a good look for a world leader. There is room for respectful disagreement, especially on matters of war and peace. The tone matters.
V
Vikram M
India has good relations with both the US and Iran. We buy a lot of oil from there. A conflict would put us in a very difficult position. Our foreign policy has to walk a tightrope. Hope our diplomats are preparing for all scenarios.
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Karthik V
The mention of destroying targets while negotiating is classic pressure tactics. But it's a volatile game to play with a country like Iran. If things go wrong, the entire region, including our diaspora in the Gulf, could be affected. Too risky.

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