WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has raised the prospect of U.S. forces seizing Iran's Kharg Island, the country's primary oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, according to an interview published Monday.
In remarks to the Financial Times, Trump said his preference would be to "take the oil" in Iran and indicated that seizing the island remained under consideration. "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options," he said. He added that such a move would likely require U.S. forces to remain on the island for an extended period.
Kharg Island, a small coral outcrop located about 34 miles northwest of Bushehr in the northern Persian Gulf, handles the vast majority of Iran's crude oil exports. Pipelines from mainland fields transport oil to terminals on the island, which has facilities capable of loading supertankers. Prior to recent regional hostilities, the island accounted for roughly 90 percent of Iran's oil shipments, according to industry data.
The comments come amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East that began earlier this year. U.S. and Israeli strikes have targeted Iranian military infrastructure, including sites on Kharg Island earlier in March. Those operations focused on naval mine storage, missile facilities and air defenses, while leaving oil infrastructure intact, according to statements from U.S. Central Command at the time.
Trump drew a parallel to U.S. actions in Venezuela following the ousting of its leadership earlier in 2026. He dismissed potential Iranian defenses on the island, stating that U.S. forces "could take it very easily," though he noted the need for a sustained presence.
The island sits near key shipping routes in the Persian Gulf, close to the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for global oil transport. Iran has used its position in the region to influence maritime traffic during periods of tension, though specific details of current disruptions were not addressed in the interview.
White House officials have not issued immediate follow-up statements clarifying any operational plans. The administration has previously described its objectives in the region as degrading Iran's military capabilities, including ballistic missile production and naval assets, while pursuing diplomatic channels through intermediaries.
U.S. military reinforcements, including Marine units, have deployed to the Middle East in recent weeks as part of broader operations. Trump has indicated that talks with Iranian representatives continue through third parties, including potential mediation by Pakistan.
As of Monday, no decisions on further military action regarding Kharg Island have been publicly confirmed. The situation remains fluid, with U.S. forces maintaining a heightened posture in the Gulf region.
