Trump ultimatum nears expiry, U.S. gears up to strike Iran’s Kharg island

Tensions in the Middle East appeared to sharpen dramatically on Monday following a report attributed to Israeli Kan TV claiming that as President Donald Trump’s ultimatum approaches its end, roughly 13,000 elite U.S. troops are expected to move to seize Iran’s Kharg Island, a critical hub for the country’s oil exports.

According to the reported claim, the objective of the mission would be to take control of the island, which is widely regarded as one of the most strategically important energy sites in Iran. Kharg Island plays a central role in the country’s export system and is seen as a vital economic lifeline for Tehran.

The reported operation, if carried out, would represent a major escalation in the standoff between Washington and Tehran. Control of Kharg Island could place enormous pressure on Iran by threatening the flow of its oil exports and weakening a key source of national revenue.

The report frames the alleged mission as part of a broader effort to force Iran into backing down under mounting military and political pressure. No official confirmation of such an operation was immediately available from U.S. authorities, and Tehran had not publicly responded to the reported claim at the time of writing.

Kharg Island has long held outsized strategic importance in the Gulf due to its role in Iran’s energy infrastructure. Any attempt to seize or control it would likely trigger alarm across the region and raise fears of wider conflict involving global powers and key shipping routes.

The reported development comes amid already heightened uncertainty over U.S.-Iran relations, with regional observers closely watching for signs of military escalation. If confirmed, such a move would mark one of the most consequential actions in the Gulf in recent years, with possible repercussions for oil markets, regional security, and international diplomacy.

For now, attention remains fixed on whether the reported ultimatum will expire without incident or whether the region is on the brink of a new and dangerous confrontation.