Trump floated seizing Kharg Island, then pulled back within hours
Why it matters: Kharg handles most of Iran's oil exports, so any move there could widen the war and jolt energy markets.
President Donald Trump briefly revived one of his most aggressive ideas in the Iran conflict on June 11, posting that the United States would take Kharg Island before backing away hours later as talks with Tehran appeared to advance. In a Fox News interview, Trump said he preferred taking the island but questioned whether Americans would support it. Later, in the Oval Office, he indicated the option would be dropped if an agreement is signed. Kharg is Iran's main oil export hub, and any operation there would sharply escalate the conflict, risk retaliation and threaten oil flows. Capturing and holding the island would also require US ground forces, crossing a line Trump long said he wanted to avoid.