President Donald Trump declared on June 11, 2026, that the United States will hit Iran “very hard tonight” and intends to seize Kharg Island along with Iran’s broader oil infrastructure. Kharg Island handles roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Targeting it would represent a fundamental shift in the US military campaign, which until now has deliberately avoided Iran’s energy facilities.
From military targets to oil infrastructure
The US launched strikes against more than 90 Iranian military sites back in March 2026, followed by another round hitting over 50 targets in April. Those operations hit military installations but left Iran’s oil and gas sector untouched.
The president’s stated rationale centers on the Strait of Hormuz. Approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit through the strait under normal conditions. The demand is straightforward: reopen the strait or face consequences that now explicitly include the seizure of Iran’s oil export capabilities.
Oil prices tell the story of how markets have responded to this escalating cycle. In April, when the second round of military strikes landed, crude surged to nearly $116 per barrel. The current range of $85 to $116 reflects persistent uncertainty.
