Trump Eyes Control of Iran’s Oil Hub and Nuclear Stockpile

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, March 29, 2026, Trump stated that "taking the oil" is a top priority, describing Kharg Island as the economic "lifeline" that he intends to secure to end the ongoing conflict.

The "Uranium Extraction" Strategy Beyond the energy sector, reports from the Wall Street Journal and BBC indicate that the Trump administration is weighing a daring military mission to extract nearly 1,000 pounds (approx. 450 kg) of highly enriched uranium from Iranian soil. This material, much of which is stored at the Isfahan nuclear site, represents Iran's most direct path to a nuclear weapon.

Scale of Operation: Defense analysts suggest this would be the "largest special forces operation in history," potentially requiring over 1,000 personnel on the ground to secure facilities and transport the hazardous material.

Tactical Risks: Such a mission would likely involve U.S. commandos remaining inside Iranian territory for several days. Trump has acknowledged the extreme danger to American troops, noting that a ground entry would likely only occur after Iranian defenses are significantly "decimated."

Kharg Island: The Economic Pressure Point Kharg Island handles approximately 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports. While the U.S. military conducted a massive "bombing raid" on military targets on the island on March 13, Trump has so far avoided striking the oil infrastructure itself. However, he warned that this policy could change if Iran continues to disrupt shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. By threatening to seize the island entirely, Trump aims to replicate his "maximum pressure" strategy to force a total surrender of Iran's nuclear and military assets.

Regional Reactions The proposal has sent shockwaves through the Middle East. While Israel has supported the expansion of targets to include nuclear infrastructure, mediators like Pakistan and Turkey have urged caution, fearing that a ground operation to seize uranium could trigger a catastrophic regional radiation leak or an all-out unconventional war. Currently, the U.S. is reportedly using high-altitude surveillance to monitor the movement of uranium canisters, with a standing order to "neutralize" any attempts by the Iranian military to relocate the stockpile.