Iran War News: Trump Says He Got 'Gift' From Iran's Speaker Ghalibaf, Hints At Kharg Seizure For Taking Oil US President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could seize Iran’s oil and Kharg Island, a critical export hub, as the Middle East conflict enters its fifth week. Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump emphasized his preference for taking control of Iran’s oil resources, drawing parallels to Washington’s actions in Venezuela earlier this year. He claimed the move would disrupt Tehran’s economy and described the operation as a potential “gift” from Iran’s leadership. Kharg Island, located 16 miles from Iran’s coast in the northern Gulf, serves as the primary outlet for 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Seizing the island, Trump argued, would allow the US to cripple Iran’s energy trade and exert significant pressure on its economy. However, experts have warned that a ground operation on the island could place US troops in extreme danger, potentially prolonging the conflict rather than resolving it. The island’s strategic location, about 300 miles northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, makes it a key target for disrupting Iran’s oil shipments. Trump also hinted at indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani “emissaries,” which he claimed are making progress. He set an April 6 deadline for Tehran to agree to terms to end the conflict or face strikes on its energy infrastructure. “We’ve got about 3,000 targets left, we’ve bombed 13,000 targets and another couple of thousand targets to go,” Trump stated, suggesting a potential deal could be reached quickly. The president further claimed that Iran’s speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, had authorized an increase in Pakistan-flagged oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz.#donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #mohammad_khamenei #kharg_island #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf
Iran War Oil Crisis: After Hormuz, Iran Threatens To Block Strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait Iran has warned that it will block the Bab al-Mandeb Strait—a critical waterway linking the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden—if the United States or Israel escalates the conflict by attacking its islands, including Kharg. This follows Tehran’s ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil typically flows. A disruption of the Bab al-Mandeb, which handles about 12% of global seaborne oil, could intensify the economic fallout of the Middle East crisis. Iranian state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has threatened to open “new fronts” to counter any attacks on its islands or naval movements in regional waters. The statement, cited by Tasnim News Agency, warned that such actions would not only fail to benefit the aggressors but would also “double their costs.” The strait’s strategic importance lies in its role as a gateway to the Suez Canal, making it a vital artery for global trade. The semi-official Fars News Agency added that Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen may join the conflict against U.S. and Israeli forces to help Tehran secure control of the Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthi group, which has previously disrupted Red Sea shipping by attacking vessels in retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza, is described as “fully prepared to play a skillful role” in the region. Iran has long supported the Houthis, leveraging their presence to challenge Western and Israeli influence. Iran’s parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that Tehran has intelligence suggesting enemies are planning to seize one of its islands, possibly Kharg, with assistance from a regional country.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf #bab_al_mandeb_strait #houthi
Trump shifted from threatening Iran’s power plants to promoting peace talks | CNN Politics President Donald Trump’s approach to the conflict with Iran underwent a dramatic reversal in recent days, moving from a stance of military escalation to a renewed push for diplomatic engagement. Just days after he had warned of targeting Iran’s power plants if the Strait of Hormuz wasn’t opened within 48 hours, Trump announced that the United States was pursuing peace talks with Tehran. The shift came after a series of high-level discussions with an unnamed Iranian official, which Trump described as leading to “major points of agreement.” The abrupt change in tone was met with skepticism, as Trump’s earlier threats had signaled a willingness to escalate the conflict. During a speech in Memphis, Tennessee, he claimed that Iran had expressed a desire to settle the dispute, stating, “They want to settle, and we’re going to get it done.” However, the details of the talks remained vague, with Trump refusing to name the Iranian interlocutor or provide specifics about the negotiations. This ambiguity fueled doubts about the authenticity of the peace efforts, especially as additional U.S. military units were deployed to the Middle East. Iran’s government swiftly denied any engagement in talks, with parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissing the claims as a sign of U.S. retreat. He accused Washington of backing down due to fears of Iranian retaliation, stating that the delay in striking Iran’s power plants was an attempt to “escape the quagmire in which the US and Israel are trapped.” Despite these denials, the Iranian official’s remarks did not explicitly rule out the possibility of indirect communication, leaving room for speculation about ongoing diplomatic efforts. The U.S.#pakistan #iran #trump #strait_of_hormuz #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf
White House Engages in Talks with Iran's Hardline Parliament Speaker U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior advisors, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reportedly held discussions with Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the hardline speaker of Iran’s parliament, according to Israeli officials. The meeting, disclosed through Hebrew language media, marks a significant diplomatic development amid ongoing tensions between the United States and Iran. Ghalibaf, a close associate of the late IRGC Qods Force commander Qassem Soleimani, has played a key role in suppressing domestic protests and has emerged as a central figure in Iran’s military decision-making process following the removal of several high-ranking officials through Israeli-U.S. operations. Trump claimed during a recent press briefing that the United States was in negotiations with a “respected leader” in Iran, though he did not specify the individual’s identity. The remarks came as the administration addressed potential scenarios involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil trade. When asked about U.S. control over the strait in such a scenario, Trump responded cryptically, suggesting a potential collaboration between American and Iranian authorities. The administration also discussed the possibility of lifting sanctions on Iran’s oil exports, with Trump emphasizing the need to “keep the system lubricated.” This statement reflects broader U.S. efforts to balance economic interests with strategic goals in the region. Additionally, Trump reiterated that the U.S. was engaging with Iran’s “most respected” leader, who has reportedly agreed to halt uranium enrichment activities. The negotiations underscore the complex dynamics of U.S.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #white_house #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf #qassem_soleimani
Iran War: Day 11 of US-Israel Attacks Tehran continues to face intense bombardments in the second week of the United States-Israeli military campaign against Iran, with reports of widespread destruction and civilian casualties. US President Donald Trump claimed the conflict could end “pretty quickly,” but Iranian officials and military leaders have dismissed such assurances, emphasizing that the war will persist until the attacks cease. The new supreme leader of Iran, Mojtaba Khamenei, has garnered significant public support, with hundreds of thousands of Iranians rallying in Tehran to express solidarity with him following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the country would continue fighting “as long as necessary,” casting doubt on Trump’s assertion that the war would conclude soon. A US-Israeli strike on a residential building in Arak, western Iran, reportedly killed five people and injured several others. Despite ongoing attacks, thousands of Iranians gathered in Tehran to show defiance against the aggressors, with supporters framing the demonstrations as a message of resistance. The Iranian government has accused the US of seeking to “partition” the country and “take oil,” while Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi noted that some nations, including China, Russia, and France, have expressed interest in brokering a ceasefire. However, the conflict has already claimed over 1,255 lives and injured approximately 10,000, according to Iranian officials. Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf pledged a “harsh response” to attacks on residential areas, underscoring the escalating violence. The US military has reported striking more than 5,000 targets, claiming to have destroyed Iran’s navy, air force, and 80-90% of its missile launchers.#us #iran #israel #tehran #mohammad_bagher_ghalibaf
