GLOBAL ENERGY SHOCK: TRUMP THREATENS SEIZURE OF IRAN’S KHARG ISLAND AMID PAKISTAN-BROKERED PEACE TALKS

In a move that has pushed global Brent crude prices above $116 per barrel, U.S. President Donald Trump has made it clear that he wants to take control of oil in Iran, especially by targeting Kharg Island. In an important interview with the Financial Times on March 29, Trump compared his plans for Iran to recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, where Washington has maintained control over oil infrastructure after removing its leadership. “To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran,” Trump said. He called domestic critics of the plan “stupid people” and insisted that the island’s defenses could be taken down very easily.

Kharg Island is crucial; it serves as the terminal for nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Gaining control of the facility would give the U.S. power over Iran’s economic lifeline and could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently under an effective Iranian blockade. To support this rhetoric with military action, the Pentagon has started sending about 10,000 ground troops trained to seize and hold territory. This includes units from the 82nd Airborne Division and thousands of Marines who arrived in the region last Friday.

Despite this military buildup, parallel diplomatic efforts are taking place in Islamabad. Trump confirmed that indirect talks with Tehran, mediated by Pakistan, are progressing very well. He described the increase in the number of Pakistan-flagged oil tankers allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a gift from Iran’s leadership, stating that it has doubled from 10 to 20. However, the chance for diplomacy is limited; Trump has set an April 6 deadline for Tehran to agree to a comprehensive deal or face the total destruction of its energy and desalination infrastructure.

For the international community, the stakes are much higher than just the Gulf. The ongoing “Steel Shield” operations and maritime disruptions have caused a global fertilizer shortage, leading to a nearly 30% rise in ammonia prices. In India, while the government has good food reserves, the rise in global energy costs is already putting early pressure on the economy. As the world watches the April 6 deadline, the 2026 election cycle in West Bengal and beyond unfolds against the backdrop of a potential crisis that could change global trade patterns for years to come.

By Anupama Shaw