Trump says US will hit Iran 'very hard' tonight, threatens to take Kharg Island soon

What Happened

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that the United States would strike Iran 'very hard' tonight. He also threatened that '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.' In a call with Fox, Trump stated his preference has 'always been' to take Kharg Island but questioned whether 'America has the stomach for it.' He further described difficulties in nuclear negotiations, claiming Iran at one point refused to agree not to buy or develop nuclear weapons until 'convinced a day later.' Trump also asserted that weapons sent to Kurds for distribution to Iranian people during January protests were kept by the Kurds, saying 'the Kurds let us down,' and that he had initially opposed the plan. The Jerusalem Post had earlier reported that Israel sought to arm Iraqi and Iranian Kurds via the CIA and Mossad, but Trump vetoed the operation. Iranian Defense Ministry spokesperson Reza Taleinik responded that Iran's armed forces are at the highest level of readiness and that 'enemies must accept a ceasefire or face a decisive, regret-inducing and harsh punitive response.'

Key Actors

Why It Matters

Trump's direct threat to strike Iran and seize Kharg Island marks a dramatic escalation in US-Iran tensions, potentially signaling a move from proxy confrontations to overt military action against Iranian territory and critical oil infrastructure. The exchange of threats and demands for a ceasefire indicates that both sides are operating with red lines that could trigger wider conflict, with global energy security implications and risks of drawing in regional allies and adversaries.

Watch For

Confirmation of whether US strikes occurred tonight as Trump claimed; Iranian military retaliation or official responses; diplomatic reactions from Gulf states, the E3, Russia, and China; any action or statements regarding Kharg Island and Strait of Hormuz security; and IAEA or AEOI statements on the nuclear file in light of the escalation.