United States President Donald J. Trump has declared that American forces will strike Iran “VERY HARD TONIGHT,” claiming the Islamic Republic’s navy, air force, radar, anti-aircraft systems and most offensive capabilities “are GONE!”

In the same statement, he outlined a longer-term plan to take control of Kharg Island and other key oil infrastructure points, thereby assuming “total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela.”

The statement, posted on social media under the @realDonaldTrump handle, reads in full:

He wrote, “The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT.

“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America. Thank you for your attention to this matter! President DONALD J. TRUMP”

The statement comes amid a fragile ceasefire in the recent Iran war that has already seen massive US and Israeli strikes, the reported death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February, and repeated US targeting of Iranian military assets — including on Kharg Island itself.

Why Kharg Island Matters

Kharg Island, located about 25 km off Iran’s coast in the northern Persian Gulf, is Iran’s primary oil export terminal. It handles the vast majority — often cited as up to 90 per cent — of Iran’s crude oil exports, with capacity for several million barrels per day. The island’s strategic location near the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 per cent of global oil and gas trade passes, makes it one of the most critical energy choke-points on Earth.

Previous US strikes in March and April 2026 “totally obliterated” military targets on the island while deliberately sparing the oil infrastructure, according to Trump administration statements at the time. The President has repeatedly floated the idea of going further — either by destroying the facilities or physically seizing them — if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz and reach a peace deal.

The Venezuela Parallel

Trump explicitly compared the proposed move to arrangements in Venezuela. Following US military intervention earlier in 2026 that led to the removal of Nicolás Maduro, the Trump administration has issued rapid general licenses allowing major US oil companies to invest in and market Venezuelan crude. The White House has described the policy as delivering shared benefits to both nations through reopened production, infrastructure investment, and controlled export revenues.

What This Means for Global Oil Markets and Nigeria

Any credible move toward US control or destruction of Kharg Island’s export capacity would immediately tighten global supply. Iranian oil has already been heavily sanctioned; further disruption would add upward pressure on prices that have already spiked above $110 per barrel in recent weeks amid the conflict.

For Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer and an OPEC+ member — the implications are double-edged:

– Short-term revenue boost: Higher global crude prices would increase Nigeria’s oil export earnings, improve foreign exchange inflows, and support the naira and government budget (oil still accounts for the bulk of export revenue).

– Longer-term risks: Extreme volatility, potential shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, and knock-on effects on global inflation could hurt Nigerian importers, raise domestic fuel and transport costs, and complicate economic planning. Nigeria’s own oil infrastructure and security challenges in the Niger Delta add another layer of vulnerability.

Reports from the past 24 hours indicate fresh US strikes on Iranian targets — including the reported use of dozens of Tomahawk missiles — with President Trump telling reporters he was in the Situation Room overseeing operations and describing the action as hitting Iran “very hard tonight.” These developments align closely with the tone and timing of the statement in the attached post.

The situation remains highly fluid. Peace talks mediated in part by Pakistan and others have been described as making “great progress” at times but have repeatedly stalled over the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear programme.