US Israel Iran War: What Donald Trump said about Iran's oil and Kharg Island
US Israel Iran War: US President Donald Trump has stated that he wants to "take possession of Iran's oil" and could also seize control of Kharg Island.
Trump also claimed that Iran's defenses on the island are not particularly strong and that the United States could easily seize control of it.
Kharg Island is situated in the northern part of the Persian Gulf. It serves as a vital oil hub for Iran; approximately 90 percent of Iran's oil exports originate from this location.
Trump made these remarks to the Financial Times at a time when, on one hand, efforts are underway—involving Pakistan and Middle Eastern nations—to mediate a ceasefire in the conflict with Iran; while on the other, thousands of US troops have already arrived in the Middle East in preparation for potential ground operations.
However, Trump later told reporters that a deal with Iran could be reached "very soon." He warned that if Tehran does not accept the US proposal, it will no longer have a country left.
Meanwhile, the entry of Yemen's Houthi rebels into the conflict has heightened the threat to fuel transport through the Red Sea.
However, since the Hamas-Israel conflict in 2023, fuel transport along this route has declined significantly due to an escalation in Houthi attacks.
Prior to this, 12 percent of the global trade in petroleum fuels was conducted through this route.
Oil prices have surged as a result of the conflict. Prices have risen by more than 50 percent over the past month. On Monday morning, the price of Brent crude climbed to $116 per barrel.