U.S. President Donald Trump declared on June 11 that he would like to take over Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub handling about 90% of its crude exports. The island lies roughly 26 km off Iran’s northern Persian Gulf coast [1, 2, 3].
Trump warned the U.S. military would strike Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” with intensified attacks. He said a full operation to seize Kharg Island and other key oil and gas infrastructure could happen "at some point in the not too distant future" [4, 2, 5, 3, 6]. Trump added, "My preference has always been - take Kharg Island ... my preference would be that. I don't know that America has the stomach for it," acknowledging public doubts about such a move [4, 1, 7].
The U.S. military previously struck Kharg Island in March and April 2026, focusing on military targets while sparing oil facilities [1, 3]. Seizing Kharg Island could disrupt Iran’s vital crude exports but would expose U.S. forces to significant missile and drone threats [1].
Tensions remain high despite a ceasefire reached in early April through Pakistani mediation [7, 6]. The ceasefire has frayed amid renewed U.S. attacks on Iranian ports and oil tankers near Kharg Island since June 10 [5, 7]. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes against U.S. bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan [7].
Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the recent U.S. strikes as illegal and said they rendered the ceasefire effectively meaningless [7]. Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned that “Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board of the worse,” and predicted long-term conflict [7].
Trump canceled planned strikes later on June 11, citing approval of a peace deal by top Iranian leadership, but he maintained the U.S. naval blockade on Iranian ports [7]. The war that began February 28, 2026, continues amid escalating attacks and fragile diplomacy [1].
