The United States President Donald Trump has issued one of his strongest warnings yet against Iran, declaring that the US military would be hitting the country “very hard tonight” while claiming that much of Tehran’s military and defensive capabilities have already been destroyed.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that Iran’s navy, air force, radar systems, anti-aircraft defenses and much of its offensive military infrastructure were effectively “gone.” He further claimed that the United States would, in the near future, move to take control of Kharg Island and other strategic oil and gas facilities that are critical to Iran’s energy exports.
“The United States will be hitting Iran very hard tonight,” Trump wrote, adding that Washington would eventually “assume total control” of Iran’s oil and gas markets. He compared the proposed strategy to what he described as the US approach toward Venezuela.
Escalation After Earlier US Strikes
Trump’s latest remarks come a day after the United States launched strikes against Iranian radar and air-defense systems following an incident in which an American Apache helicopter was reportedly shot down or damaged near the Strait of Hormuz. According to US officials, the earlier operation was designed to weaken Iran’s military capabilities while avoiding casualties.
The Pentagon later confirmed that additional military operations were being planned. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that American forces would target key Iranian facilities after what Washington described as Iran’s failure to engage constructively in ongoing negotiations.
Focus on Kharg Island
Kharg Island holds immense strategic importance for Iran as it serves as the country’s primary oil export terminal and handles the vast majority of its crude shipments. Trump has repeatedly referenced the island during the ongoing confrontation with Tehran.
Earlier this year, Trump announced that US forces had carried out major strikes against military targets on Kharg Island while deliberately avoiding oil infrastructure. He warned at the time that any further Iranian interference with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could prompt additional action.
His latest statement goes significantly further, openly discussing the possibility of taking control of Iranian energy infrastructure, a move that would mark a dramatic escalation in the conflict.
Diplomatic Uncertainty
Despite the increasingly aggressive rhetoric, Trump indicated that a negotiated settlement with Iran remains possible. However, he expressed frustration over the pace of talks, accusing Tehran of delaying meaningful progress.
“We were really close to a deal, but they keep playing us,” Trump said while discussing the ongoing negotiations.
Meanwhile, military exchanges between the two countries have continued, raising concerns among international observers about the risk of a broader regional conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes, remains at the center of the standoff. Any disruption there could have major consequences for global energy markets.
With Trump now promising to strike Iran “very hard tonight” and openly discussing control of key oil infrastructure, the coming hours are expected to be closely watched by governments, energy markets and security analysts across the world. :::
