President Donald Trump announced Thursday morning that the U.S. would hit Iran "very hard" tonight [1, 2].
The escalation follows a fresh round of strikes between the U.S. and Iran, leaving the region on edge as hopes for a ceasefire diminish [4, 5].
Trump said that the U.S. would target Iran's military infrastructure. He said the United States will be hitting Iran "VERY HARD TONIGHT," adding that Iran's navy, air force, radar, anti-aircraft, and other defense forms, along with most offensive capabilities, are "GONE!" [1].
Beyond the immediate strikes, the president said he would seize control of Kharg Island [2]. This strategic location in the Persian Gulf is described as the "crown jewel" of Iran [3]. The potential seizure of the island would grant the U.S. significant control over Iranian oil and gas assets [2].
These threats come amid a volatile period of missile barrages across the Gulf [4]. Both sides have traded fire recently, which has dimmed the prospects of a diplomatic deal [4, 5]. The announcement was issued from the United States on June 11, 2026 [1, 2].
Trump's rhetoric signals a shift toward more aggressive territorial and military objectives in the Persian Gulf. By targeting Kharg Island, the U.S. would be striking a critical node of Iran's economic and energy infrastructure, a move that could fundamentally alter the geopolitical balance of the region.
“"The United States will be hitting Iran... VERY HARD TONIGHT."”
The threat to seize Kharg Island represents a significant escalation from standard retaliatory strikes. Because Kharg Island is the primary terminal for Iranian crude oil exports, U.S. control of the island would provide the U.S. with direct leverage over Iran's primary source of national revenue, likely triggering a severe economic crisis for Tehran and increasing the risk of a wider regional conflict.
