President Donald Trump has escalated rhetoric around the US-Iran war by openly discussing the seizure of Iranian oil infrastructure, including the strategically vital Kharg Island, while thousands of additional American troops deploy to the Middle East.
In an interview with the Financial Times published Sunday, Trump made his most explicit comments yet about the economic motivations behind continued military operations against Iran.
To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘Why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people
When pressed specifically about Kharg Island — the nerve center of Iran’s petroleum export infrastructure — Trump remained deliberately ambiguous. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said.
Military Buildup Accelerates
The rhetorical escalation comes as the US military presence in the region continues to grow. The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East carrying approximately 3,500 additional soldiers, adding to the tens of thousands of American service members already deployed across the Persian Gulf theater.
Pentagon officials confirmed that planning is underway to send elements of the 82nd Airborne Division to the region. The elite paratrooper unit, based at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, is the US Army’s primary rapid-deployment force and has historically been among the first conventional units deployed in major combat operations.
The troop movements signal a potential shift from the air and naval campaign that has defined the first month of the conflict to a posture that could support ground operations.
Iran Issues Defiant Warning
Iranian officials responded to the ground invasion threats with sharp warnings. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, addressed both the United States and regional states that may be providing logistical support.
Our men are waiting for the arrival of the American soldiers on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional allies once and for all
Ghalibaf also threatened to attack the “vital infrastructure” of any regional country that assists American military operations, a warning directed at Gulf states hosting US bases and providing overflight access.
Claims About Iran’s Leadership
In the same Financial Times interview, Trump made an unverified claim about the status of Iran’s Supreme Leader. “Mojtaba Khamenei is either dead or in extremely bad shape,” Trump said, referring to the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei who assumed the supreme leadership role. No independent confirmation of this claim has emerged.
Diplomatic Contradictions
Trump’s comments contained notable contradictions. While threatening oil seizure and ground invasion, he simultaneously claimed to be “pretty sure” a deal with Iran was forthcoming, asserting that Tehran had agreed to “most of” his 15-point plan for ending the conflict.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson flatly rejected that characterization, calling US proposals “unrealistic, illogical and excessive.”
Pakistan-Led Diplomacy Gains Traction
Amid the escalation, a parallel diplomatic track led by Pakistan has shown signs of progress. Islamabad is hosting a four-nation mediation initiative involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt.
Pakistani officials confirmed that both the United States and Iran have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s ability to facilitate direct talks between the two sides. A Committee of Four senior officials has been constituted to work out the modalities for potential negotiations.
As a confidence-building measure, 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels have been granted passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has partially restricted since hostilities began.
China has also signaled support for the initiative, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi backing the diplomatic effort. Pakistan’s foreign minister is scheduled to visit Beijing on March 31 for consultations.
War by the Numbers
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| War duration | 30 days (began February 28) |
| Iranian deaths | 2,076 (including 216 children) |
| GCC state casualties | At least 25 killed |
| Brent crude oil price | $116/barrel |
| Oil price increase since war began | Over 50% |
| Additional troops on USS Tripoli | ~3,500 |
| Planned deployment | 82nd Airborne Division |
| Iran crude via Kharg Island | ~90% of exports |
Did You Know?
-
Kharg Island is a small island just 25 kilometers off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf. Despite its modest size of roughly 20 square kilometers, it is one of the most strategically important pieces of land in the global energy economy.
-
Approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports flow through Kharg Island’s terminal facilities. Before the war, Iran exported around 1.5 million barrels per day, making Kharg a chokepoint worth tens of billions of dollars annually.
-
Kharg Island was a major target during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988). Iraqi air strikes repeatedly struck the island’s oil terminal, but Iran managed to keep exports flowing through repairs and workarounds throughout the eight-year conflict.
-
The current oil price of $116 per barrel represents more than a 50% increase since the war began on February 28. Analysts warn that any disruption to Kharg Island operations — whether through seizure or further military strikes — could push prices well above $150 per barrel.