Trump Declares US Will Strike Iran ‘Very Hard Tonight’, Plans to Seize Key Oil Hub Kharg Island.

President vows “total control” of Iran’s oil & gas markets; threatens more strikes if Hormuz shipping blocked.

Washington, June 12, 2026: US President Donald Trump has declared the United States will strike Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT” and vowed to seize Kharg Island, the regime’s key oil export hub, amid escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.

 ‘Taking Kharg Island’ Trump’s Truth Social Threat.

Posting on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets.” 

He added: “The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT,” following two days of US airstrikes on Iran. Trump told Fox News “we’ve hit them hard tonight”, but warned he would “bomb the out of Iran” again if Tehran does not agree to a deal soon. 

 Kharg Island: Iran’s ‘Crown Jewel’.

Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf off Iran’s coast, handles roughly 90% of the country’s crude oil exports. Seizing it would be a “significant escalation” and likely require ground troops. 

Trump said the US had already “totally obliterated every MILITARY target” on Kharg in recent strikes, but “for reasons of decency” chose not to hit oil infrastructure. However, he warned that could change if Iran interferes with shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 

 Iran Responds, Oil Markets Rattled.

Iran’s state media claimed US strikes “rendered the ceasefire meaningless” and threatened to target SpaceX and Starlink facilities across the Middle East. Tehran also warned it would destroy energy sites of US-linked firms if Iranian facilities are hit. 

Iran’s Fars News Agency reported more than 15 explosions on Kharg, but said oil infrastructure was not damaged. 

Oil prices swung after Trump’s post, with Brent crude having surged over 42% since the conflict began. 

‘Just for Fun’ Remarks Spark Outrage.

Trump told NBC News the US “may hit it a few more times just for fun”, while saying Tehran appeared ready to deal but “the terms aren’t good enough yet”. 

The remarks mark a sharp escalation from earlier US strategy of targeting only military sites. Trump has also demanded allies send warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz.