President Trump threatened to strike Kharg Island, Iran’s primary crude oil export terminal, after Iran launched missile and drone strikes on two US bases in Jordan on Sunday, in retaliation for a US strike on Iranian rocket launchers on Larak Island.
What Trump Said
Trump shared an AI-generated video on Truth Social depicting the terminal being bombed, saying it was “going to be blown to smithereens.” In a call with a Fox News correspondent, Trump said, “We’re going to hit them hard.”
Why Kharg Island Matters
Kharg Island handles the large majority of Iran’s crude oil exports. A strike on the terminal would be a major economic escalation beyond the military exchanges of the past six months. Oil prices rose more than 3% following the exchange of strikes.
Where Things Stand
Despite the threat, reports indicate Trump has since walked back the possibility of an imminent strike on the terminal, with the situation remaining fluid as both sides weigh next steps.
