Trump threatens to strike Kharg Island ‘just for fun’ as oil war escalates
Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran's Kharg Island after claiming previous US strikes had "totally demolished" much of it
WASHINGTON, United States (MNTV) – U.S. President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island after claiming previous U.S. strikes had “totally demolished” much of it, saying “We may hit it a few more times just for fun” in remarks to NBC News — a sharp escalation that dealt a blow to diplomatic efforts and drew a stern warning from Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that Iran would retaliate against any attack on its energy facilities. “Attacking Iran’s infrastructure is a dangerous move with grave consequences,” he had written on X days earlier. “The U.S. set this precedent, not Iran.”
Kharg Island, a small coral island about 33 kilometers off Iran’s coast in the Persian Gulf, is the primary terminal through which nearly all of Iran’s oil exports pass. Iran has exported 13.7 million barrels since the war began, with shipments flowing primarily to China.
A previous U.S. strike on Friday hit more than 90 targets on the island, including air defenses, a radar site, the airport and a hovercraft base, according to satellite analysis, but left the oil infrastructure intact. Vessels were still seen arriving and loading fuel, according to satellite imagery shared by TankerTrackers.
Energy researcher Petras Katinas of the Royal United Services Institute said Kharg was critical to funding Iran’s government and military, and that losing control of it would make the country difficult to function regardless of which regime was in power.
JPMorgan’s global commodity research team warned in an investment note that a strike on the island would “immediately halt the bulk of Iran’s crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.”
Iran also said the U.S. struck Abu Musa, one of three small islands near the Strait of Hormuz that have been a persistent flashpoint between Iran and Gulf states since Iranian forces seized them in November 1971, days before the UAE was formed.
U.S. Central Command did not acknowledge the claim. Iran’s foreign minister said the U.S. also struck a desalination plant on Hormuz Island on March 8 — also unacknowledged by Washington.
“He who controls Kharg Island, controls the destiny of this war,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham posted on social media.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
