Why Trump’s eyes are on Iran’s Kharg Island — and why that's a risk

Less than 20 miles off Iran’s shallow coastline sits an island made of hard coral — a natural, geological platform rising from the Persian Gulf that’s perfect for one thing: exporting oil .

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This is Kharg Island , a crucial outcrop 5 miles long that has proven central to the Iran war .

President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed threats to seize Kharg Island , which accounts for more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports.

“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,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, after days of renewed hostilities with Iran.

In an interview with Fox News, Trump said that his “preference has always been, take Kharg Island.”

“I don’t know that America has the stomach for it, to be honest with you,” he said, adding that “you’d make a fortune.”

Trump officials had threatened to take control of the island, which accounts for more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports, before a shaky ceasefire went into effect in April. The ceasefire appears to have largely broken down, though the current status of peace talks is unclear.