Trump threatens more US strikes on Iran, future seizure of main oil export hub

WASHINGTON – 11 June 2026: President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States will strike Iran for a third consecutive night, warning of intensified attacks and threatening future control of the country’s main oil export hub, Kharg Island.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the US will be “hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT.”

He also suggested that, in the near future, the US would move to take control of Kharg Island and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of the Iranian oil and gas markets, “much like we have with Venezuela.”

 

The remarks come amid a sharp escalation in tensions following successive days of US strikes on Iranian targets and Iranian responses across the region.

US, Iran Exchange Fire

The US army announced early today launching additional “self-defense” strikes against multiple targets in Iran, targeting military surveillance capabilities, communication systems, and air defense sites.

Explosions from the US strikes were reportedly heard around the capital Tehran, as well Bandar Abbas and other southern areas along the Strait of Hormuz.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the operation involved marine corps, air force, and navy assets, striking Iranian targets that "posed a threat to US forces and international commercial ships transiting regional waters."

In response, Iran fired attacks targeting the US military installations in each of Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait for the second day in a row.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) claimed destroying a “significant number” of US fighter jets and facilities after firing a dozen ballistic missiles at Jordan’s Muwaffaq Salti Airbase.

Disrupted Hormuz Navigation

Iranian state media also reported that the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes, had been completely closed to all vessel traffic.

The IRGC said it struck two oil tankers transiting the waterway.

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) missile destroyer launches Tomahawk cruise missiles as part of strikes against Iran on June 11, 2026. US Navy video/still image

The third back-and-forth strikes came amid a two-month shaky ceasefire, undermining efforts aimed at securing an agreement to the Iran war that has fueled regional instability and driven up global energy prices.

The US is seeking a deal with Iran that would curb its nuclear program and prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an ambition Iranian authorities have long denied pursuing.

Stalled Talks

Trump said on Wednesday that Iran would “have to pay the price” for “taking too long to negotiate a deal.”

In the wake of Wednesday’s US strikes on Iran, Tehran said it is reviewing the future of diplomatic efforts to end the war, according to IRNA news agency.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said the continuation of the talks will depend on an assessment of the situation in the aftermath of the attacks.