US President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to Iran, saying the United States could target and destroy the country’s crucial oil export hub, Kharg Island, along with other major infrastructure, if a deal to end the conflict is not reached soon. His remarks highlight rising tensions in the region and raise concerns about possible disruptions in global oil supply.

Kharg Island, located about 24 kilometres off Iran’s coast in the northern Persian Gulf, plays a central role in the country’s economy. Nearly 90 per cent of Iran’s crude oil exports pass through this small island. Much of this oil is shipped to China and other Asian markets. Despite being only around 8 kilometres long and 4 to 5 kilometres wide, the island has extensive facilities, including storage tanks, pipelines, and offshore terminals.

The island’s infrastructure allows it to handle large volumes of oil efficiently. Its terminals can load approximately 1.3 to 1.6 million barrels of crude oil per day. The deep-water access also enables very large crude carriers to dock, making it one of the most important export points for Iran’s energy sector. Any damage to this facility could have serious consequences for global oil markets, which are already under pressure.

Trump made his comments on his Truth Social platform, stating that the US is currently engaged in “serious discussions” with what he described as “a more reasonable regime” in Tehran. He suggested that progress had been made in negotiations but warned of severe consequences if talks fail.

"Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'open for business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched,'" Trump said.

His remarks followed an earlier interview with the Financial Times, where he spoke about the possibility of taking control of Iran’s oil resources. Trump indicated that seizing Kharg Island could be part of that strategy. "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't," he said. "We have a lot of options." He also mentioned that the US had identified around 3,000 potential targets in Iran, but added that a deal could still be reached quickly.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised that negotiations were ongoing through both direct and indirect channels. "We're doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up," he said.

However, Iran has denied that any direct talks are taking place. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that Tehran had received a 15-point proposal from the Trump administration. He maintained that there have been no direct negotiations so far.

Meanwhile, Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf rejected the idea of talks, calling them a distraction. He claimed that discussions in Pakistan were being used as a cover to increase US military presence in the region. He also issued a strong warning, stating that Iranian forces were "waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever," according to state media.

The situation remains tense, with both sides exchanging strong statements. The US has already carried out airstrikes targeting military positions on Kharg Island. In response, Iran has threatened to escalate the conflict further. It has warned of a possible ground invasion of Gulf countries and has suggested it could mine the Persian Gulf if US troops enter its territory.

Military experts point out that any attempt to capture or hold Kharg Island would be difficult. An amphibious operation would require US forces to pass through the Strait of Hormuz and navigate the Persian Gulf. The island is also within close range of Iran’s mainland, making it vulnerable to artillery, missiles, and drone attacks.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global oil transport. Any disruption there could have wide-ranging effects on international energy markets. Trump’s warning has therefore raised concerns not only about military escalation but also about economic instability worldwide.

As the situation develops, the possibility of a deal remains uncertain. While the US claims progress in negotiations, Iran continues to deny direct engagement. The gap between both sides suggests that tensions could persist, with Kharg Island at the centre of both strategic and economic concerns.