Trump Says He Wants Iran's Oil, International Oil Prices Surge... Is a U.S. Ground Operation Imminent? (Comprehensive)

"Kharg Island Can Be Occupied Very Easily"
Houthi Rebels Join the Fight... Fears of Red Sea Blockade
International Oil Prices Surge Back to $110 Range

Reuters Yonhap News

As U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that he wants control over Iran's oil, the possibility of a ground operation targeting Kharg Island, Iran's main crude oil export base, has been raised. With the pro-Iranian Houthi militia from Yemen joining the conflict, concerns have grown over a potential blockade of the Red Sea shipping route, sending international oil prices soaring into the USD 110 range. As markets braced for a sudden escalation and potential turmoil, President Trump responded by stating that negotiations with Iran are still ongoing and that "an agreement will be reached soon."

Trump Hints at "Possible Occupation of Kharg Island"... U.S. Ground Operation Seen as Imminent

Reuters Yonhap News Agency

In an interview with the Financial Times (FT), President Trump said, "To be honest, what I like the most is taking Iran’s oil. But some stupid people in the United States ask, 'Why do that?' They are stupid people." He continued, "We may or may not occupy Kharg Island. We have a lot of options. I don’t think they have the defensive capability. We can occupy it very easily," he asserted on the 29th (local time).

His remarks were interpreted as a sign that a U.S. ground operation against Iran is imminent. Previously, the Washington Post (WP) reported that the U.S. Department of Defense had already discussed ground operations. Citing officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, WP reported, "Over the past month, discussions have taken place regarding ground operations, including the possible occupation of Kharg Island, Iran's main oil export hub, and the destruction of bases along the coastline near the Strait of Hormuz." The report added, "There are plans for a surprise attack using a combination of special forces and regular infantry units, with the objective expected to be achieved within a few weeks to two months."

Yemeni Houthi Rebels Declare Participation... Will the Red Sea Strait Be Blocked?

Reuters Yonhap News

As news of the imminent U.S. ground operation spread, the pro-Iranian Yemeni Houthi militia declared its participation. The Houthi rebels are currently in control of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea, which is used as an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. It is expected that the threat of a blockade will intensify following Iran's actions.

Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Houthis, issued a statement through Al Masirah, a media outlet run by the group, saying, "We have carried out the first military operation, including missile attacks, targeting key Israeli enemy military assets." He added, "This operation coincided with the heroic operations carried out by the Iranian Mujahideen (Islamic warriors) brothers and Hezbollah in Lebanon." This was an official declaration of participation in coordination with Iran.

The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, located at the southern end of the Red Sea, is a key passage where more than 10% of the world's maritime oil shipments pass even in peacetime. Moreover, after Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia shifted half of its total oil shipments to routes via the Red Sea.

If the Houthi rebels attack tankers navigating through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait using anti-ship missiles, drones, and high-speed boats equipped with explosives and lay mines in the strait, concerns are growing that the oil supply issue could worsen significantly. Professor Muhammad Elmasry of Qatar's Doha Institute for Graduate Studies told Al Jazeera, "If the Houthis decide to block Bab-el-Mandeb, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, then two major chokepoints, including the Strait of Hormuz, will be completely blocked."

International Oil Prices Surge Again... Trump Says "Negotiations Going Well"

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International oil prices surged immediately. According to OilPrice.com, a specialized energy media outlet, as of 7:44 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (CDT) on this day, Brent May futures rose 2.70% from the previous session to reach USD 115.61 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) May futures also climbed 2.42% from the previous day, reaching USD 102.05 per barrel.

Bloomberg News reported, "With the Houthi rebels joining the Middle East conflict, the market is adjusting its initial volatility," and added, "Amid concerns that attacks on production facilities in the Middle East could worsen supply disruptions, Brent rose 2% and S&P 500 futures fell 0.4%."

With the oil market in turmoil, President Trump's mixed signals regarding an imminent agreement with Iran are expected to increase volatility even further. On board Air Force One, returning from Florida to Washington D.C., President Trump told reporters that Iran had agreed to most of the 15 demands made by the United States. He emphasized, "We are negotiating extremely well with Iran," and added, "I believe an agreement will be reached fairly soon."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.