US President Donald Trump has said his preferred option in the ongoing conflict with Iran would be to “take the oil”, signalling a potential escalation beyond previously stated war aims.
Speaking in an interview with the Financial Times, Trump openly suggested targeting Iran’s energy assets, including the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub.
“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran,” Trump said, dismissing critics of the idea.
The remarks come amid intensifying hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, with global energy markets already under pressure.
Strategic oil stakes
Iran remains a key player in the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), holding some of the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.
The country also controls the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supply passes.
Recent disruptions and what analysts describe as a de facto blockade have significantly reduced shipping traffic, pushing oil prices higher and raising fears of a prolonged global energy shock.
Kharg Island in focus
Trump also floated the idea of seizing Kharg Island, which handles about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, adding that any such move would likely require a sustained US presence.
Military experts warn that capturing the island could escalate the conflict and expose US forces to significant risk, given its proximity to mainland Iran and vulnerability to missile and drone attacks.
Rising tensions and global impact
The comments highlight a more aggressive posture as the conflict continues to disrupt global oil flows and financial markets.
With tensions around the Strait of Hormuz unresolved, analysts say any attempt to seize Iranian oil infrastructure could deepen the crisis and trigger wider geopolitical consequences.
