Trump Threatens to Seize Iran's Kharg Island Oil Terminal, Says US Could End War in 2-3 Weeks

Mar 30, 2026

President Trump threatens to destroy Iran's Kharg Island oil terminal and other infrastructure unless Tehran accepts a peace deal, while claiming the US could end the war in 2-3 weeks, as the conflict enters its second month. The war has killed Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and thousands of civilians, destroyed much of Iran's military capability, and displaced over a million people across Iran and Lebanon. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused oil prices to surge 87 percent and jet fuel prices to rise 120 percent in 2026, while paradoxically increasing Iran's daily crude revenue above pre-war levels. A Pew Research survey found 61 percent of Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the conflict, and international polling shows only 18 percent in six surveyed countries blame Iran, with most blaming Israel or the US instead.

U.S. Military Campaign Against Iran and Damage Assessment

▪After one month of conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, several top Iranian political and military leaders have been killed, including supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
▪Some 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium still exist somewhere in Iran.
▪In Iran and Lebanon, thousands of people have been killed and more than a million displaced during the conflict.

Iran's Economic Disruption and Global Impact

▪Moscow is gaining an additional $150 million in oil revenue every day the Iran conflict continues.
▪The price of jet fuel has risen by 120 percent in 2026.
▪The Strait of Hormuz serves as a conduit for a third of global helium supplies.
▪Brent crude oil prices have risen by more than 87 percent in 2026.
▪Natural gas prices have surged by more than 70 percent in Europe in March 2026.

International Isolation and Weakening U.S. Alliances

▪A GeoPoll survey found 29 percent of respondents in six countries blame the United States for the Iran conflict.
▪A GeoPoll survey in Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa found only 18 percent of respondents blame Iran for the conflict.

Strategic Failures and Political Consequences for Trump

▪Republican Representative Nancy Mace from South Carolina stated she will not support troops on the ground in Iran after attending a classified House Armed Services Committee meeting.
▪Iran previously displayed an ability to rebuild its missile program in the space of a few months after U.S. and Israeli attacks in June 2025.
▪Donald Trump posted a video on Truth Social on February 28, 2026 suggesting he was hoping for regime change in Iran.
▪A Pew Research survey found 37 percent of Americans approved of Donald Trump's handling of the Iran conflict.
▪Seven out of every 10 Republicans approve of how the White House is executing the Iran war.
▪The U.S. Defense Department has suggested it will request $200 billion in additional funding to support ongoing engagements in Iran.

Perspective of Donald Trump

▪Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub unless Tehran accepts a peace deal quickly.
▪Donald Trump claimed the United States could end military operations against Iran within 2-3 weeks.