Iran has vowed to remain defiant after United States President Donald Trump threatened to destroy one of its most important oil export islands. In fresh comments, Trump warned that Kharg Island and other energy facilities could be “completely obliterated” if Tehran does not quickly agree to a deal to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to full traffic.
Speaking on his Truth Social account, Trump said the US was in “serious discussions” with what he called a more reasonable regime in Tehran. But he added that if the talks fail or if the Hormuz Strait is not “open for business” immediately, Washington would blow up Iran’s electric plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, and possibly its desalination plants as well.
Kharg Island handles about 90 percent of Iran’s crude oil exports and is seen as the backbone of its energy economy. US Central Command previously confirmed that American forces had already struck dozens of military targets on the island earlier in March, including mine facilities and storage bunkers.
In a show of defiance, Iran fired a new barrage of missiles early Tuesday, targeting what it described as hostile positions across the Middle East. State media said the launches were a message that the country would not bow to threats against its sovereignty or vital infrastructure.
Military commanders in Tehran warned that any direct attack on Kharg Island or other major energy sites would trigger severe retaliation. The Revolutionary Guards have repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz if US strikes hit Iran’s power plants, saying the waterway would remain shut until damaged facilities are rebuilt.
Iran also released new military footage showing troops and hardware deployed across its southern islands, including Kharg and other strategic outposts in the Gulf. Officials said the images were meant to demonstrate that the country is fully prepared to defend its territory and oil infrastructure.
The latest exchange of threats has raised fears of a wider escalation in the already volatile Middle East conflict. Analysts warn that the destruction of Kharg Island or a long term closure of the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt global oil supplies and send prices soaring.
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