President Trump dramatically raised the stakes in the conflict with Iran on Thursday, declaring that the United States could take control of Kharg Island — the critical hub through which most Iranian oil exports pass — while also signaling uncertainty about whether such a move would ultimately occur.

In a Truth Social post issued Thursday morning, Trump suggested the US could seize Kharg Island and other key energy assets as military operations against Iran intensified for a third consecutive night following the downing of an American Apache helicopter.

“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, much like we have with Venezuela,” Trump wrote on Truth Social after 8 a.m.

“The United States will be hitting Iran… VERY HARD TONIGHT.”

Less than an hour later, however, Trump appeared to leave the door open to other options during an interview on “Fox & Friends,” declining to commit to such a dramatic military step and leaving Tehran uncertain about Washington’s intentions.

“I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you. You’re gonna make a fortune, but I don’t know that America has the stomach,” Trump told the TV program.

“I think they’d like to see us come home, but we did it with Venezuela. Venezuela has worked out great for everybody.”

Since April 13, US naval forces have maintained a blockade around Iran’s ports. American officials argue that Iran’s oil distribution system depends heavily on infrastructure that continuously routes crude oil to Kharg Island, making it difficult for Tehran to halt those flows.

Trump acknowledged that public support for a ground operation may be limited even as he emphasized America’s military advantage while seeking to pressure Iran into finalizing a peace framework.

“I’m not sure the country has the appetite” for a land mission — despite saying there could be one as he tries to strong-arm Iranian officials to finalize a memorandum of understanding to end the war.

“They are finished. We can walk in there tomorrow,” Trump taunted on Fox.

“We could take soldiers. I don’t want to have boots on the ground, but if I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the whole place. They’re finished.”

The president also suggested that his willingness to reach an agreement has diminished as the conflict has dragged on.

“I’d like to get a deal now less than three or four weeks ago.”

The recent shootdown of a US Apache helicopter by an Iranian drone has complicated diplomatic efforts, although officials on both sides continue to indicate that negotiations remain underway. Sources familiar with the discussions say there is broad agreement in principle that Iran would ultimately dismantle its nuclear weapons program.

Even as talks continue behind the scenes, Iranian leaders have maintained a confrontational public stance. Senior officials sharply criticized the latest round of American airstrikes, which resumed despite a cease-fire that had held uneasily for roughly two months.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi tweeted Tuesday: “Leave our region if you want to be safe. History of the Persian Gulf has many chapters on dire fates of intruding outsiders.”

Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament and a top peace negotiator, wrote: “We prefer the language of diplomacy, but we speak other languages far more fluently. Break your commitments, and we’ll switch to what we speak best. You ride the horse you saddled!”

Although Trump has previously considered striking Kharg Island during Operation Epic Fury, he has thus far stopped short of targeting the heart of Iran’s petroleum industry, viewing its long-term economic viability as an important factor in any postwar settlement.

American attacks resumed Tuesday night after the helicopter was shot down over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran retaliated by launching missiles toward US military installations in Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait.

The two sides had been operating under a fragile cease-fire reached on April 8, but Trump dismissed that arrangement Wednesday evening, calling it “the most violated cease-fire in the history of the world.” He subsequently ordered military operations to resume, accusing Iran of repeatedly testing American restraint.

During the pause in fighting, Iran disrupted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, causing concern among global energy markets because roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil supply passes through the strategic waterway.

In response, Trump directed the US military to impose a naval blockade aimed at increasing economic pressure on the Iranian regime.

According to US Central Command, American forces intercepted another vessel Wednesday night that attempted to breach the blockade, marking the third such confrontation this week.

Officials said the tanker, operating in the Gulf of Oman, repeatedly ignored commands issued by US military personnel before being disabled.

CENTCOM reports that nine vessels have been disabled since the blockade began, while 135 ships have been diverted from restricted areas. At the same time, 42 humanitarian shipments have been allowed to proceed.

Trump also touted what he described as a major success in protecting international oil traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Today, I am pleased to announce that this effort has resulted in more than 100 MILLION Barrels of Oil making its way through the Strait, and into the Open Market,” Trump crowed on Truth Social. “More than 200 Commercial Ships have safely traveled through the Strait. This wildly successful effort is because the UNITED STATES of AMERICA CONTROLS the Strait of Hormuz — NOT Iran.”

“Their military is defeated, and their economy is lost. It’s over for Iran!”

Despite repeated assertions from the White House that an agreement is within reach, significant obstacles remain. Chief among them is Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium, much of which is believed to be stored deep underground in fortified facilities.

Experts estimate that Iran possesses roughly 1,000 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity, placing it only a short technical distance from weapons-grade material.

The country is also believed to maintain substantial reserves of uranium enriched to lower levels, including large quantities at 20% purity and below.

The Iranians claimed to have enough 60% enriched uranium to manufacture 11 nuclear bombs, special envoy Steve Witkoff claimed shortly after the start of Operation Epic Fury, Feb. 28.

{Matzav.com}