Trump Says ‘Can’t Answer’ Question On Possible US Move To Occupy Iran’s Kharg Island

Last Updated:March 13, 2026, 21:37 IST

President Trump declined to discuss the US occupying Kharg Island, calling it inappropriate and not a high priority. The island is key for Iran's oil exports.

During a radio interview with Brian Kilmeade, US President Donald Trump declined to directly respond to a question about whether the United States could consider occupying Kharg Island, which handles a large share of Iran’s oil exports.

“I can’t answer a question like that," Trump said when Kilmeade raised the issue during the conversation. He added that such a move was “not high on the list".

Kilmeade had asked the president whether he was considering taking Kharg Island, describing it as a location through which about 90 per cent of Iran’s oil passes.

Trump responded by criticising the question and suggested it would be inappropriate to discuss such matters publicly. “Brian, I can’t answer a question like that. … You shouldn’t be even asking it. It’s one of so many different things. It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of so many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds," he said.

The president went on to say that revealing any potential plans would make little sense. “OK, let’s say I was going to do it, or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it. What would I tell you? ‘Oh, yes, Brian, I’m thinking about doing it, let me, let me let you know what time and when it’ll take place.’ It’s not, you know, it’s sort of a foolish question, a little surprising for you, because you’re a smart man," Trump added.

About Kharg Island

Kharg Island is an island in the Persian Gulf belonging to Iran. It lies about 25 kilometres off the Iranian coast, northwest of the port city of Bushehr.

The island is Iran’s main oil export terminal. A large share of the country’s crude oil shipments pass through Kharg Island before being transported by tankers to global markets.

Kharg Island hosts major oil storage tanks, loading terminals and port facilities used to export crude oil produced in Iran. The island is connected to mainland oil fields through pipelines that transport crude to its export terminals.

News world Trump Says ‘Can’t Answer’ Question On Possible US Move To Occupy Iran’s Kharg Island

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