Donald Trump said he would prefer taking control of Iran’s Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub, rather than striking civilian infrastructure. Trump acknowledged that such a move could face domestic opposition, questioning whether Americans would support another costly military operation. Analysts note that capturing and holding Kharg would likely require a major ground deployment and could place U.S. forces in direct confrontation with Iran. Senator Lindsey Graham backed the idea, while Iranian officials warned they would fiercely resist any attempt to seize Iranian territory.

Trump said the forthcoming operations to take over Iran's oil infrastructure, and its oil and gas markets, would be similar to U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Trump floated seizing Iran's Kharg Island, which handles 90% of Iran's oil exports. Bitcoin held steady near $71K while the US froze $344M in crypto tied to