Trump threatens to strike Iran "forcefully" and take control of vital oil facilities

Washington —
US President Donald Trump threatened to deliver strong strikes against Iran, confirming that the United States may move to control Kharg Island and other oil and gas facilities considered among the most important centers for Iranian energy exports.

Trump said his country would strike Iran “with great force”, pointing out that Washington may soon seek to impose direct control over parts of Iran's oil and gas infrastructure and markets, in a new escalation within the ongoing confrontation between the two countries.

The statements come at a time when the United States and Iran exchange air attacks, while US forces carry out operations against ships that Washington says tried to bypass the blockade imposed near the Strait of Hormuz.

Kharg Island is a strategic point in Iranian oil exports, and any threat to control it or target its facilities raises widespread fears of greater disruption in global energy markets.

The escalation also increases concerns about navigation security in the Gulf, especially since the Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important maritime routes for transporting oil and gas in the world.

It is not yet clear whether Trump's threats are paving the way for a wide military operation or are part of political and military pressure to push Tehran to make concessions in indirect negotiations.

However, the new American tone reflects the confrontation moving to a more dangerous level, as it is no longer limited to exchanging strikes or naval blockade, but now includes a direct threat to Iran's basic economic infrastructure.

Markets and energy-importing countries are closely monitoring developments, amid fears that any attack on Iranian oil facilities could lead to a new wave of price increases and an expansion of the war in the region.