U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to bring Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub, under American control. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday morning, he warned that if tensions escalate further, the United States could launch a ‘very severe’ military strike against Iran as early as tonight. Trump described Kharg Island as vital to Iran’s economy, noting that most of its crude oil exports pass through the island.

He stated that the United States would soon take control of Kharg Island and other key oil facilities, citing Venezuela as an example of previous similar actions that he claimed produced positive outcomes. Trump also asserted that Iran’s navy, air force, radar, and air defense systems had already suffered major damage, significantly weakening the country’s military capacity.

Analysts believe Trump’s remarks could heighten existing U.S.-Iran tensions and inject new uncertainty into the global energy market, given Kharg Island’s central role in Iran’s oil exports. International media reports indicate that both nations have recently exchanged attacks, stalling diplomatic efforts and raising fears of a wider Middle East conflict.