Trump vows total control of Iran’s oil markets and Kharg Island
Donald Trump declares intent to seize Iran’s energy infrastructure, attributing current price stability to unverified military activity, while investors monitor the geopolitical escalation.
US President Donald Trump has declared an intent to seize control of Iran’s oil and gas markets, specifically targeting the key export hub of Kharg Island. Speaking from the Oval Office and later on Truth Social, the President outlined forthcoming operations aimed at taking over Iran’s oil infrastructure, stating that these actions would be similar to previous US measures implemented in Venezuela.
The statement represents a declaration of intent rather than confirmed executed action. The operational status of the claimed seizure remains unconfirmed, and the scope and likelihood of success for the proposed operations are unclear. Investors and market observers are monitoring the situation for further clarification, indicating high volatility and uncertainty in the sector.
Trump also asserted that the United States military had secretly facilitated the transit of 100 million barrels of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, bypassing Iranian restrictions. He claimed the operation kept Tehran “blindsided” and attributed the stability of oil prices around $90 a barrel to this effort. However, these claims are explicitly contradicted by available shipping data.
The rhetoric regarding Venezuela is presented as comparative by Trump and may not reflect identical operational realities. The source text contains repetitive phrasing, which may indicate a draft or unedited release, suggesting that claims should be treated with caution. The direct causal link between the alleged secret operation and current oil price stability is asserted by Trump but not independently verified in the provided text.
This announcement follows a recent Beijing summit, the first visit by an American president to China since 2017. The summit featured discussions on trade, AI, and Strait of Hormuz security, attended by US business leaders including Elon Musk, Tim Cook, and Jensen Huang. Meanwhile, Iran continues to face economic challenges, with residents grappling with hyperinflation and military uncertainty.
