Donald Trump signals possible US seizure of Iran's Kharg Island amid escalating strikes

President Donald Trump declared the interim cease‑fire with Iran over and announced renewed US strikes on Iranian targets, including the destruction of more than 60 IRGC boats. Trump repeated his threat to seize Kharg Island, the Gulf facility that handles about 90 % of Iran’s oil exports, saying the United States could take control of the island. The United States has hit roughly 90 targets across Iran, while Tehran responded with attacks on vessels near Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar and claimed to have struck US‑linked assets in the Strait of Hormuz. Israeli intelligence officials warned Washington of a new Iranian plot to assassinate Trump, adding a further layer of tension. Military analysts and former officials, including Larry Kudlow, have suggested a limited Marine operation to occupy Kharg Island as a means to cripple Iran’s oil revenue. The conflict has prompted broader regional concerns, with Ireland preparing contingency measures for possible energy‑price impacts. The ongoing escalation threatens global oil markets, as Kharg Island and the Strait of Hormuz remain critical chokepoints for world energy supplies.