▲ This photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.S. President Donald Trump speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from West Palm Beach, Florida, to Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on March 29, 2026. (Yonhap)

Trump-Iran war

Trump threatens to 'obliterate' Iran's Kharg Island, power plants if deal is not 'shortly' reached

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, March 30 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to "completely obliterate" Iran's Kharg Island, a key oil hub, its power plants and oil wells if a peace deal with the United States is not "shortly" reached.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post amid growing fears of a prolonged war between the U.S., Israel and Iran, and the conflict's impact on oil prices and inflation -- key issues that could affect voter sentiment ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November.

"The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming that "great progress has been made in the negotiations."

"But, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island, which we have purposefully not yet 'touched.'"

He said targets would possibly include all desalinization plants in Iran.

He went on to say that the strikes, if pressed ahead, will be "in retribution for" many U.S. soldiers and others that he accused Iran of having killed over the "old regime's 47-year reign of terror."

On Thursday, Trump extended his pause on U.S. military strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days to 8 p.m. on April 6 (Washington time) to secure more time for negotiations.

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