WorldThe United States will ‌hit Iran "very hard tonight" and will soon ​take control of ​the Middle Eastern country's oil and ​gas infrastructure and markets, U.S. President ‌Donald Trump said on Thursday.Crew of oil tanker ignored repeated commands amid blockade, U.S. military saysThomson Reuters · Posted: Jun 11, 2026 6:47 AM EDT | Last Updated: 28 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 6 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by AI-based technology. Mispronunciations can occur. We are working with our partners to continually review and improve the results.CBC News reports from Iran in Canadian exclusive4 hours ago|Duration 8:41In a Canadian exclusive, the CBC has been given rare permission to report from Iran. The government there imposes restrictions on international journalists but does not check our material. CBC News senior international correspondent Margaret Evans says many in the region are concerned about the potential return of full-scale war.The United States will ‌hit Iran "very hard tonight" and will soon ​take control of its oil and ​gas infrastructure and ⁠markets, U.S. ⁠President ‌Donald Trump said on Thursday."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 on Thursday morning. The threat came as the U.S. and Iran traded air attacks, and the U.S. military launched new strikes on ships it said were trying to evade its blockade near the Strait of Hormuz. It is not the first time since the war began on Feb. 28 that Trump has threatened Kharg Island, the hub for 90 per cent of Iran's oil exports. Any operation to control the island might necessitate ground troops, something U.S. officials speaking on the condition of anonymity to Reuters have previously said has been considered by the Trump administration.Despite the hostilities, efforts to reach an interim agreement between Iran and the U.S. to end the fighting have intensified, three Iranian sources and a European official told Reuters on Thursday. Trump himself has repeatedly said a deal is close, though there has been no sign of a breakthrough.WATCH | White House first speculated about Kharg Island operation weeks ago:Is the U.S. about to make a major military mistake? | About ThatMarch 31|Duration 12:17U.S. President Donald Trump says a U.S. takeover of one of Iran's most critical assets — Kharg Island — could happen “very easily,” but experts warn the reality is far more complicated. Andrew Chang breaks down why even a successful assault could lead to heavy losses and uncertain gains.