By The South Asia Times

WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the United States will launch a major military strike against Iran "very hard tonight," claiming that the country's naval, air force, radar, anti-aircraft, and most offensive capabilities have already been destroyed.

In a statement posted on Truth Social, Trump also signaled a longer-term plan to seize control of Iran's oil and gas markets, drawing a parallel to US policy toward Venezuela.

"The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT," Trump wrote.

The president went further, outlining what appeared to be a strategic expansion of US military objectives beyond retaliatory strikes.

"At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets," Trump said.

Kharg Island, located in the Persian Gulf approximately 25 kilometers off the coast of Iran, serves as the country's primary offshore crude oil export terminal. Approximately 90 percent of Iran's oil exports pass through the island's facilities, making it a strategically vital asset.

Trump compared the prospective move to US policy toward Venezuela, stating: "much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America."

The president's announcement comes after two consecutive nights of US strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, including air defense systems, ground control stations, surveillance radar sites, and communication facilities. Those strikes were launched in response to the downing of a US Army Apache helicopter.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has retaliated with drone and missile attacks on US bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan, with Kuwait and Bahrain activating air defenses and Americans in Jordan warned to take cover.

Trump's threat to seize Iranian oil infrastructure marks a significant escalation in both rhetoric and potential military objectives. Control of Kharg Island would effectively place Iran's oil exports under US authority, a move that would likely trigger a sharp spike in global oil prices and provoke a strong response from Tehran.

The president did not provide a specific timeline for the operation, saying only that it would occur "at some point in the not too distant future."

Iranian authorities have not yet responded to Trump's latest statement. Earlier Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned US troops to "leave our region if you want to be safe," vowing that Iran would "leave no attack or threat unanswered."

With the US president now promising an even heavier assault "tonight," the region braces for what could be the most significant escalation in hostilities since the conflict began.