US President Donald Trump on Thursday, 11 June threatened fresh military strikes against Iran and said the United States could eventually seize control of key Iranian oil infrastructure, hours after US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced that American forces had disabled a third commercial tanker accused of breaching Washington's naval blockade on Tehran.

Trump's Warning on Truth Social

In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “The United States will be hitting Iran (whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti-Aircraft, and all other forms of Defence, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT.”

He escalated further, adding: “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, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America.” The remarks represent the most direct public threat by a sitting US president to seize Iranian energy assets.

Third Tanker Disabled in the Gulf of Oman

According to CENTCOM, the Guinea-Bissau-flagged tanker M/T Jalveer was disabled at 11:20 pm ET on 10 June after it allegedly attempted to transport Iranian oil through the Gulf of Oman. A US aircraft fired two Hellfire missiles into the vessel's engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with instructions from American forces.

Earlier in the same week, US aircraft had already disabled two other vessels — the Palau-flagged M/T Marivex, which reportedly attempted to sail to an Iranian port, and the M/T Settebello, which sought to transport Iranian oil.

Blockade Scorecard Since April 13

CENTCOM stated that since the naval blockade operation began on 13 April, US forces have disabled nine non-compliant vessels, redirected 135 ships that complied with blockade instructions, and allowed 42 humanitarian aid vessels to proceed. The command said the blockade is being “enforced impartially against vessels of all nations entering or departing Iranian ports and coastal areas, including all Iranian ports on the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.”

Strategic and Regional Stakes

The targeting of Kharg Island — through which Iran routes the bulk of its crude exports — would represent a dramatic escalation beyond disabling third-party tankers. Analysts note that a strike or seizure of that facility could trigger severe disruptions to global oil supply chains, given that the island handles an estimated 90% of Iran's oil exports. This comes amid already elevated tensions in the Middle East, with energy markets closely watching every development.

Notably, Trump's comparison to Venezuela, where the US has imposed sweeping sanctions and recognised rival governments, signals a potential long-term strategic template for Iran policy — one that goes well beyond the current blockade.

What Comes Next

With nine vessels already disabled and Trump's public warnings intensifying, the pressure on Iran to respond — diplomatically or militarily — is mounting. Energy markets, regional shipping routes, and allied governments are all on alert as the situation in the Gulf of Oman continues to deteriorate rapidly.