• U.S. strikes over 90 military targets on Kharg Island while sparing oil facilities, with Trump warning of imminent destruction if Iran interferes with Strait of Hormuz shipping.
  • The U.S. is assembling a multinational "Hormuz coalition" to reopen the critical waterway, pressing allies including China, France, Japan, South Korea, and the UK to contribute warships.
  • Global oil and gas prices are rising as Iran's blockade disrupts roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passing through the strait, with potential escalation including U.S. seizure of Kharg Island under consideration.

In a dramatic escalation of U.S.-Iran tensions, former President Donald Trump has threatened to destroy Kharg Island's oil infrastructure within minutes if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, following large-scale U.S. military strikes on the island that deliberately avoided its critical energy assets. The move comes as Trump presses allies to join a multinational coalition to secure the vital waterway, with global energy markets already feeling the strain from disrupted shipping lanes.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, U.S. Central Command conducted Operation Epic Fury, striking more than 90 military targets on Kharg Island, including naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers. Trump characterized the raid as "one of the 'most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East,'" according to people familiar with the matter. By Sunday, aboard Air Force One, Trump told reporters the U.S. is "locked and loaded" to target the island's oil infrastructure, stating: "We can do that on five minutes' notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it." He added that he has chosen not to do so "again," implying potential future strikes.

Kharg Island, located approximately 15 miles off Iran's coast, handles roughly 90% of the country's crude oil exports, making it a linchpin of Iran's economy. The strait it overlooks is strategically vital, with about a fifth of the world's oil supply normally passing through it. Iran's blockade has already driven up global oil and gas prices, creating cascading effects on energy costs worldwide. "The president has no decisions on Kharg Island," a senior White House official said, but added that "that could change if the effort to clear the strait drags on." This suggests the White House is weighing more aggressive options, including potentially seizing the island outright, which officials described as potentially amounting to "an economic knockout of the regime" by cutting off a key revenue source.

Efforts to build an international coalition have hit some snags, with Trump warning NATO allies that declining to assist could be "very bad for the future of NATO." He told reporters: "We are talking to other countries about policing the straits. It will be nice to have other countries policing with us." A senior administration official acknowledged that most oil passing through the strait does not go to the U.S., arguing that nations dependent on Persian Gulf oil should help secure the waterway. Without a deal, the standoff could prolong, forcing further market volatility and geopolitical strain.

Iran's response has been defiant, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that Iran has not requested a ceasefire and is "ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes." He characterized the conflict as "an illegal war with no victory" and suggested Tehran is not yet ready for serious negotiations on Trump's terms. Attempts to reach Iranian officials for further comment were unsuccessful, but sources indicate Tehran is mobilizing defensive measures along its coastline.

The situation remains fluid, with oil futures ticking higher in early trading as traders brace for potential supply shocks. If the U.S. follows through on its threats, it could trigger Iranian retaliatory strikes on oil infrastructure across the Gulf, particularly in Saudi Arabia, risking a broader regional conflict. For now, the focus is on diplomatic channels and coalition-building, but the clock is ticking as shipping disruptions mount. This article was updated to clarify the timing of Trump's comments and the scope of U.S. strikes.