US President Donald Trump is considering a new plan to strike the heart of Iran's oil industry, UAE-based news outlet Erem News reports.
American diplomatic sources close to senior White House officials said Trump had discussed with his advisers at the War Department and the CIA the possibility of launching strikes on Iran's Kharg Island, a vital hub for the country's oil exports. The proposed operation would be aimed at forcing Tehran to make concessions ahead of the US midterm elections on Nov. 3.
According to the sources, discussions within the Trump administration have focused on whether targeting critical energy infrastructure could change the Iranian leadership's calculations, prompting Tehran to abandon its preconditions and accept US demands, particularly regarding its nuclear program and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The options under consideration reportedly include precision strikes on oil infrastructure on Kharg Island, including storage tanks, pipelines and loading facilities, as well as military installations on the island or at other locations.
Kharg Island holds particular strategic significance for Washington because it serves as Iran's main crude oil export hub. Approximately 90% of the country's oil exports pass through its facilities, while its storage capacity is estimated at roughly 30 million barrels.
A US diplomat said Trump was inclined to explore military escalation options that could exert both economic and military pressure on the Iranian regime.
