White House: US Can Seize Kharg Island Anytime If Trump Gives the Order

The United States (US) has boasted that it can seize Iran’s Kharg Island whenever it wishes. The White House stated that the US military is merely awaiting an order from US President Donald Trump if it wants to take control of Iran’s oil centre.

“The US military can seize Kharg Island at any time if the President gives the order,” wrote White House Deputy Chief Press Secretary Anna Kelly in a statement reported by AFP on Saturday (21/3/2026).

“Thanks to detailed planning processes, the entire administration is prepared and ready for any potential actions taken by the terrorist regime in Iran,” Kelly added.

Donald Trump is reportedly considering plans to occupy or blockade Kharg Island in Iran. The occupation of Kharg Island aims to pressure Iran into reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“We need about a month to further weaken Iran with attacks, seize the island, and then control them and use it for negotiations,” said one source, according to a US media report by Axios, as cited by Al Jazeera on Friday (20/3).

US and Israeli strikes on the island, which serves as Iran’s centre for 90% of its oil exports, targeted military installations; however, a ground invasion would place US forces within range of Iranian attacks.

The US military has approved the deployment of additional forces to the region amid the war against Iran. “If [Trump] decides to carry out a coastal invasion, it will happen. But that decision has not yet been made,” a senior Trump administration official told Axios, regarding plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump previously stated that the US military had bombed military targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles nearly all of Iran’s crude oil exports. Trump threatened to attack the island’s oil infrastructure.

“US Central Command carried out one of the most devastating bombing attacks in Middle East history, completely destroying every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,” Trump said on social media, as reported by AFP on Saturday (14/3).