U.S. President Donald Trump said he wants to take Iran’s oil and suggested that American troops could seize the country’s Kharg Island export hub. He also added that a deal with Tehran “could be made fairly quickly.”
Tehran struck a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, while an oil refinery in Israel came under attack. Israel and the U.S. launched new airstrikes on Iran.
Trump told the Financial Times that talks with Iran continue and progress, although Tehran denies direct negotiations. At the same time, he has increased threats, while thousands of U.S. Marines and troops deploy across the Middle East.
Iran’s attacks on its Gulf neighbors could complicate any talks. The UAE, heavily affected by the war, seeks Iranian disarmament in any ceasefire. Iran’s theocracy likely won’t accept that.
Trump said his preference is to “take the oil in Iran,” which would require seizing Kharg Island, through which nearly all Iranian oil exports pass. He added: “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have many options.”
He said the U.S. still wants to strike about 3,000 targets in Iran but emphasized that “a deal could be made fairly quickly.”
Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that the U.S. negotiates “directly and indirectly” with Iran. He added: “We’re doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then always have to blow them up.”
Iran acknowledged receiving a 15-point proposal from the U.S., but its Foreign Ministry said no direct talks occurred. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf dismissed the Pakistan-facilitated talks, claiming they aim to deploy more U.S. troops.
Israel and the U.S. launched repeated attacks on Iran’s military infrastructure. Iran retaliated with missile strikes on Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Dubai, and Kuwait, hitting power and desalination plants.
Israel’s military also intercepted drones from Yemen and struck additional targets in Iran, including a petrochemical plant in Tabriz. Iran confirmed that its Revolutionary Guard navy head, Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri, died in an Israeli airstrike.
The conflict has raised oil prices globally. Brent crude traded near $115 per barrel, up nearly 60% since Feb. 28. The U.S. offered a 15-point plan to Iran, including opening the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran proposed a five-point plan maintaining its sovereignty over the waterway.
Pakistan announced it will host talks between the U.S. and Iran, though officials have not confirmed if discussions will be direct or indirect.
The death toll continues to rise. Iran reports more than 1,900 killed, Israel 19, Lebanon 1,200, Iraq 80, Gulf states 20, and 13 U.S. service members.
