Trump Plays Coy Over Seizing Iran’s Kharg Island
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump has injected fresh uncertainty into the "Global Master Plan" for the Middle East, telling Fox News Radio that seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s primary oil export hub, is not currently a top priority.
However, in true "Warrior" fashion, the President refused to rule out a future "Incursion," warning that his strategy can shift in an instant.
As Brent crude topped $102 per barrel on Friday, March 13, 2026, the potential for "Boots on the Ground" to secure Iran's "Oil Lifeline" remains the most volatile variable in the ongoing conflict.
The "Foolish Question" Interview
In a Friday morning interview with Brian Kilmeade, President Trump addressed the speculation that U.S. Marines might be deployed to occupy the 16-mile offshore fuel depot that handles 90% of Iran’s exports.
“It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump stated.
When pressed for specifics, the President chided the host for seeking a "Tactical Alert" on air:
“Let’s say I was going to do it, or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it. What would I tell you? ‘Oh, yes, Brian, I’m thinking about doing it, let me let you know what time and when it’ll take place.’… It’s sort of a foolish question.”
The "Oil Lifeline" at Risk
While the war has raged for two weeks, Kharg Island has remained largely untouched, with Iran actually exporting more fuel than before the conflict began. Experts warn that taking the island would be a "Lethal Reset" for the Iranian regime.
- The Economic Kill-Switch: Mohammed Soliman of the Middle East Institute told The Post that seizing the island would mean “pulling the plug on the basic services that keep Iranian society functioning.”
- The Revenue Gap: Soliman warned that “the revenue shortfall would run into the billions monthly. You’d see the currency collapse further, inflation spike, [and] subsidies buckle.”
- The "Boots" Reality: An operation on Kharg would mark the first confirmed U.S. ground operation of the war. Trump signaled he is not afraid of the political fallout:
“I don’t have the yips with respect to boots on the ground... Like every president says, ‘There will be no boots on the ground.’ I don’t say it.”
Beyond the Island
On March 13, 2026, the "Legal War" in the White House focused on the escalation ladder, including potential "Special Forces" raids on mainland facilities.
- The Isfahan Speculation: Intelligence circles are debating a "Master Plan" to seize nuclear material at the Isfahan facility, a move that would move beyond a "Tactical Strike" into a full "Nuclear Incursion."
- The Domestic Downgrade: The urgency to control oil hubs comes as the U.S. economy reported a meager 0.7% growth in Q4 2025, a massive downgrade that puts the administration under pressure to end the "Energy Crisis" quickly.
- The "Oil Producer" Paradox: While Trump argues that the U.S. "makes a lot of money" when oil prices rise (Topic 34), the meager GDP growth suggests the high cost of the "War Tax" is beginning to stifle domestic industry.
"I Can Change My Mind in Seconds"
The President's rhetoric maintains a state of "Strategic Ambiguity." For the Iranian regime, the goal is to keep the oil flowing despite the "Lethal Readiness" of the U.S. Navy.
For the Trump administration, the goal is to keep Tehran guessing whether the next move will be an air strike or a "Marines-led" takeover of their most valuable asset.