Trump threatened Iran’s Kharg Island as US-Iran Gulf attacks intensified across oil routes, tankers and military targets, raising new risks for regional security and global energy markets.

President Donald Trump said the United States would hit Iran “very hard” and threatened to take Kharg Island, a key hub in Iran’s oil economy, as Washington increased pressure on Tehran to shut down its nuclear program and accept a peace deal.

US-Iran Gulf Attacks Put Oil Routes Under Pressure

The latest American attack began shortly after 12:00 AM Tehran time on Thursday and lasted about four hours, according to U.S. Central Command. The source material did not provide the full calendar date.

Explosions were reported in Qeshm near the Strait of Hormuz and in the southern Iranian cities of Bandar Abbas, Minab and Sirik. Iran’s foreign ministry said the strikes had made the April cease-fire effectively meaningless.

Gulf of Oman Tanker Strike Adds Maritime Risk

The U.S. military also struck an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Thursday, saying it was attempting to transport Iranian oil.

India’s government said three Indian crew members died in a U.S. strike on another tanker a day earlier. India also said 20 seafarers were rescued from the Jalveer, another vessel attacked by the U.S. military.

The deaths add a maritime safety dimension to the conflict as the United States seeks to enforce a blockade aimed at cutting Iran’s oil revenue.

Iran Claims Attacks on US Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain

Iran said it responded with two waves of attacks on targets at U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Kuwait’s military said it was intercepting hostile targets Thursday morning and briefly closed its airspace to civilian aircraft. Bahrain’s interior ministry said sirens were activated but did not specify the trigger.

Iran also claimed the Strait of Hormuz was closed to all vessels, including oil tankers and commercial ships. The U.S. military said the strait remained open.

Why Kharg Island Matters

Kharg Island is central to Iran’s oil export network, making Trump’s threat a major escalation signal. Any wider disruption around Kharg Island, the Gulf of Oman or the Strait of Hormuz could affect oil shipping routes watched closely by energy markets and U.S. allies in the Gulf.

Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the strikes were meant to pressure Tehran into peace on U.S. terms, not retaliation for one specific attack.

“If we need to negotiate with bombs, we’ll negotiate with bombs,” Hegseth said.