President Donald Trump threatened a “very hard” attack on Iran Wednesday and declared the United States will seize Kharg Island — Tehran's principal oil export terminal — in what he called “the not too distant future.”
Trump said the US would “assume total control of their oil and gas markets,” a statement that would represent the most expansive seizure of a foreign nation's energy infrastructure in modern American history.
US forces struck Iranian territory for a second consecutive day, with ceasefire talks between the two governments now appearing close to collapse, according to reporting by The Guardian on Wednesday.
Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf roughly 25 kilometres off the Iranian coast, accounts for the overwhelming share of Iran's crude exports. Control of it would effectively end Tehran's ability to sell oil on international markets.
No senior Pentagon or State Department official has publicly confirmed operational orders for a seizure mission. The White House did not issue a formal statement to the Wail by press time.
Congressional leaders have not yet scheduled an emergency session on the escalation. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency meeting Thursday.