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He also warned of hitting Iran tonight.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the US and Iran were close to reaching a deal, but after more than 100 days of conflict, the parties continue to trade blows.
In a dramatic escalation, Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday morning to warn of immediate action as peace talks hit a complete standstill.
According to a post on Truth Social, the president claimed that a major military strike is imminent. “The United States will be hitting Iran (whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT,” Trump wrote.
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Boots on the ground
Trump laid out a bold vision for the region’s energy sector.
“At some point in the not-too-distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure sites, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America,” he added on Truth Social.
Military experts have suggested that seizing Kharg Island would require a large number of soldiers.
This shift marks a reversal for Trump, who recently claimed the island was “not high on the list.”
Chasing the lifeline
According to CNN, Kharg Island is only about a third the size of Manhattan. Yet it handles roughly 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. US officials have previously described the location as the “nexus for all Iranian oil supply.”
The island features deep waters that can accommodate massive supertankers. Because of this, CNN reported earlier this year that White House officials believe taking the island would “totally bankrupt” Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
American forces have launched multiple airstrikes on military targets on the island during the conflict.
