Trump Says U.S. “Locked and Loaded” to Destroy Iran’s “Crown Jewel” [WATCH]

President Donald Trump said Sunday that the United States is fully prepared to destroy Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub but has so far chosen not to take that step, as reported by Fox News.

Trump made the remarks while speaking with reporters aboard Air Force One as tensions continue in the conflict involving Iran.

Kharg Island, a key oil export facility located in the Persian Gulf, was struck on Friday during a U.S. military operation known as Operation Epic Fury.

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Trump described the island as Iran’s “crown jewel” but noted that the portion responsible for oil pipeline operations remains intact.

“We can do that on five minutes’ notice. We have it all locked and loaded and ready to go if we want to do it,” Trump told reporters.

“We chose not to do it. I chose not to do it again. We’ll see what happens.”

According to the president, the possibility of additional strikes remains on the table as the United States continues to pressure Iran.

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Trump suggested the threat of further military action could push Tehran toward negotiations.

“I don’t think they’re ready to do what they have to do. But I think they will be at some point,” Trump said, referring to potential diplomatic talks with Iran.

Meanwhile, Iran’s top diplomat signaled that his country does not currently intend to pursue negotiations.

Abbas Araghchi told CBS News in an interview Sunday that Iran has not requested a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, which has now entered its third week.

“We are ready to defend ourselves as long as it takes,” Araghchi explained. “And this is what we have done so far, and we continue to do that until President Trump comes to the point that this is an illegal war with no victory.”

The U.S. military operation that targeted Kharg Island on Friday involved a large-scale precision strike conducted by the United States Central Command.

According to CENTCOM, more than 90 military targets were struck during the attack. The targets reportedly included naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers connected to Iran’s military infrastructure.

Despite the scale of the strike, the island’s oil export facilities were left intact, including the section responsible for transporting oil through pipelines.

Reports have also indicated that the White House has examined additional options involving the island. According to Axios, Trump has discussed the possibility of seizing Kharg Island outright.

One U.S. official told Axios that capturing the facility could deliver what was described as “an economic knockout of the regime” by cutting off a critical portion of Iran’s oil export revenue.

However, the same report noted that such a move would carry significant risks. Taking control of Kharg Island could require the deployment of U.S. ground forces and might trigger retaliatory attacks by Iran.

Potential retaliation could include strikes targeting energy infrastructure throughout the Persian Gulf region, including facilities located in Saudi Arabia.

A U.S. official quoted by Axios acknowledged both the potential benefits and the dangers of the strategy.

“There are big risks. There are big rewards. The president isn’t there yet, and we’re not saying he will be,” the official said.

Kharg Island has long served as a central hub for Iran’s oil exports and plays a major role in the country’s economy. Disruptions to operations on the island could significantly affect Iran’s ability to sell oil on global markets.

Trump’s comments come as the conflict with Iran continues to develop and diplomatic efforts remain uncertain.

The president has indicated that while military options remain available, the administration continues to monitor developments before making additional decisions.

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