Donald Trump has warned Iran the US military will be hitting the Middle Eastern country “very hard tonight” in a new social media post. In the Truth Social message issued on Thursday, the US president also threatened to take over Kharg Island, often described by commentators as the “crown jewel” of Iran’s oil infrastructure.
Mr Trump said his military would take over Iran’s oil and gas markets “in the not too distant future”, in a similar action to that taken in Venezuela earlier this year. He wrote: “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.
“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.
“Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
Located approximately 15 miles off Iran’s coast, it has a massive storage capacity and can load millions of barrels per day. Due to the naturally deep waters surrounding it, very large crude carriers (VLCCs) can dock directly at the island.
The US President previously ordered strikes against Kharg Island in March, saying US forces had “totally obliterated” every military target there, but held off targeting its oil infrastructure.
Experts say taking the island would cut off Iran’s economic lifeline, affecting its ability to take part in the war, and potentially allow US forces to carry out attacks against the mainland.
The island could also be used as leverage to force Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz permanently, as this is vital to the world’s oil supplies.
