President Donald Trump said on Thursday, 11 June that seizing Kharg Island — Iran's principal crude oil export terminal — has been his 'number one' strategic preference in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, while warning that more powerful American military strikes were imminent. The remarks, made during a telephone interview with Fox News' Fox & Friends, marked one of the most explicit statements yet of Washington's ambitions over Iranian energy infrastructure.

The Kharg Island Gambit

'My preference has always been to take Kharg Island,' Trump said. 'That's always been my number one thing.' Kharg Island handles the vast majority of Iran's crude oil exports and is considered one of the most strategically critical energy hubs in the Gulf. Trump argued that long-term control of Iranian energy assets could generate significant economic returns for the United States, drawing a direct comparison to American oil operations in Venezuela.

'We did it with Venezuela. Venezuela has worked out great for everybody,' Trump said. 'We've taken millions and millions of barrels of oil out of Venezuela. We brought them to Houston and various other places, such as Louisiana, where, you know, we have incredible refineries. They're going 24 hours a day, making a fortune.' He added: 'I like that, in this case, too.'

More Strikes Confirmed, Ground Troops Ruled Out

Trump left little ambiguity about the military trajectory. 'Yeah, there will be more bombing tonight,' he said. 'It'll be a bigger, bigger, more powerful.' The President had earlier posted on social media that the US would strike Iran again and would eventually 'assume total control' of its oil and gas markets — a statement that preceded the television interview.

At the same time, Trump ruled out a large-scale ground deployment. 'I don't want to have boots on the ground,' he said, though he claimed a limited force could be sufficient. 'But if I wanted to, we could put a small group of soldiers and take over the whole place.' He also indicated a reluctance to target civilian infrastructure such as water facilities and bridges, saying: 'I'd rather not do it, because once you do that, the people suffer.'

Trump's Assessment of Iran's Military State

Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly asserted that Iran's military had been largely dismantled by prior strikes. 'They have no Navy. They have no Air Force. They have no anti-aircraft,' he said. He also claimed Iranian leadership was actively seeking a negotiated settlement despite public posturing. 'They're dying to make a deal,' Trump said. 'They're negotiating with us to make a deal.'

Domestic Appetite in Question

Even as he outlined an expansive strategic vision, Trump acknowledged uncertainty about public support for a prolonged campaign targeting Iranian energy assets. 'I don't know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you,' he said. 'I'm not sure the country has the appetite for it. And that's OK. I understand that.' The candid admission points to the political constraints surrounding any extended military-economic operation in the region.

What Comes Next

With Trump confirming further strikes and signalling an intent — however conditional — to dominate Iran's oil and gas exports, the conflict appears set to escalate beyond conventional military exchanges into the realm of energy warfare. How Tehran responds, and whether diplomatic back-channels can produce the deal Trump claims Iran is seeking, will define the next phase of this confrontation.