Trump threatens more strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island, urges warships to guard the Hormuz Strait

In an interview with NBC News, Trump claimed US strikes had “totally demolished” much of Kharg Island and suggested more attacks could follow.

“We may hit it a few more times just for fun,” he said, while adding that Tehran appeared willing to negotiate, but the proposed terms were “not good enough yet.”

The remarks signaled an escalation from earlier statements in which Trump said the United States had targeted only military facilities on the island.

Sources told Reuters the Trump administration had already rejected attempts by Middle Eastern allies to launch negotiations aimed at ending the conflict.

Rising risk around the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s ability to disrupt shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s most critical oil and gas routes—has emerged as a major concern for global energy markets.

In a social media post, Trump urged major oil-importing nations including China, France, Japan, South Korea and United Kingdom to send naval forces to help protect shipping in the region.

“The countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help—a lot,” he wrote.

None of those countries immediately confirmed plans to deploy warships.

Iran signals defiance

Iran has rejected calls for a ceasefire until US and Israeli airstrikes stop.

The country’s foreign minister, Abbas Araqchi, dismissed speculation by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, had been wounded.

Iranian forces continued retaliatory strikes. A drone attack disrupted operations at the UAE’s Fujairah energy hub, while Iran warned civilians to avoid port areas in the Gulf, calling facilities linked to the United States “legitimate targets.”

The UAE denied that attacks on Kharg Island were launched from its territory.

Oil supply disruptions grow

The conflict—triggered after US and Israeli airstrikes began on February 28—has killed more than 2,000 people, most of them in Iran, according to official and state media reports.

Energy markets remain volatile. Oil-loading operations in the UAE’s Fujairah emirate, a major global ship-refueling hub, were partially suspended following the drone strike.

Fujairah handles about 1 million barrels per day of Murban crude, roughly 1% of global oil demand, highlighting the growing risk to global energy supply if the conflict expands.