Trump: US ‘Locked and Loaded’ to Target Iran’s Key Assets if Necessary

President Trump warned on Sunday that the United States stands ready to destroy Iran’s critical Kharg Island oil export terminal, describing the facility as “locked and loaded” for potential strikes while suggesting the threat is intended to pressure Tehran into diplomatic negotiations.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump referenced recent U.S. military actions against the island while emphasizing that his administration deliberately avoided targeting its vital oil infrastructure.

“We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it,” Trump said. “We chose not to do it. I chose not to do it again. We’ll see what happens.”

The president indicated that Iran is eager to negotiate but not yet prepared to meet U.S. demands. “I don’t think they’re ready to do what they have to do. But I think they will be at some point,” he told reporters.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi presented a defiant stance in a Sunday interview with CBS News, rejecting any suggestion that Iran has requested a ceasefire or negotiations during the three-week conflict.

“We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” Araghchi stated. “And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

U.S. Central Command conducted significant strikes on Kharg Island just days earlier as part of Operation Epic Fury, targeting more than 90 military facilities including naval mine storage sites and missile bunkers. Military officials emphasized that the operation deliberately avoided damaging the island’s oil export infrastructure, which remains crucial to Iran’s economy.

Kharg Island represents a strategic asset of enormous economic significance to Iran. Located in the northern Persian Gulf, the terminal handles the vast majority of Iran’s oil exports, functioning as the primary conduit for the country’s petroleum revenue. Any disruption to this facility would have immediate and severe consequences for Iran’s already sanctions-battered economy.

According to reporting by Axios, Trump’s administration has discussed options beyond airstrikes, including the possibility of seizing Kharg Island outright. One U.S. official characterized such a move as potentially delivering “an economic knockout of the regime” by effectively shutting down Iran’s oil export capabilities.

However, military analysts note that capturing and holding the island would likely require deploying U.S. ground forces and could trigger significant escalation from Iran, possibly including retaliatory strikes against oil infrastructure throughout the Gulf region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and other U.S.-allied states.

“There are big risks. There are big rewards. The president isn’t there yet and we’re not saying he will be,” an official told Axios regarding the potential seizure option.

Global oil markets have been closely monitoring the situation, with crude prices experiencing volatility in response to the escalating tensions. Energy security experts warn that any significant military action targeting Iran’s oil infrastructure could trigger price spikes at a time when global markets are already facing supply challenges.

The strategic standoff comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Iran following the breakdown of previous diplomatic efforts. While the administration appears to be maintaining a two-track approach—applying military pressure while leaving space for negotiations—the threat to Iran’s oil exports represents a significant escalation in economic leverage.

For now, the administration seems content to demonstrate its military capability while holding off on strikes that would completely disable Iran’s oil export capacity, maintaining both pressure on Tehran and flexibility for future diplomatic or military options.