US President Donald Trump warned Tehran on Thursday that the US military is poised to attack Iran 'VERY HARD TONIGHT' and target the country's oil infrastructure, including Kharg Island , according to a Truth Social post. The threat follows a Wednesday night operation against military targets and explicitly compares the planned action to the US seizure of Venezuela's oil sector after capturing Nicolás Maduro in January.

Kharg Island: The 7 million barrel per day chokepoint

Off the coast of Iran, Kharg Island is home to the terminal that handles nearly all of the country's oil exports, with a loading capacity of about seven million barrels per day, as reported by the source.. Seizing the island would not only choke off Iran's economic lifeline but also provide a forward operating base for strikes on the mainland, as the BBC has noted. the US could use the key coral island as leverage to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to general shipping traffic.

A second Venezuela? Trump's comparison and the risks it carries

Trump described the forthcoming operation as similar to the US takeover of Venezuela's oil sector, which he said 'is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America.' However, the source does not provide any assessment of Venezuela's post-takeover situation, leaving open the question of whether the parallel is accurate.. Iran's larger military, more diversified economy, and regional alliances make it a fundamentally different challenge.

Wednesday night's precision strikes — and what they signal

According to the report, Wednesday night's operation hit ammunition depots, command-and-control nodes, warehouses, air defense systems, and radar facilities. Trump had cautioned that Tehran would 'pay the price' for dragging out negotiations, but the source does not clarify whether these strikes were a precursor to the oil infrastructure attack or a separate escalation. The lack of detail on the timing of the threatened seizure leaves room for diplomatic maneuvering.

Tehran's silence and the missing diplomatic track

The source quotes no Iranian officials, and it remains unknown how Tehran will respond to the threat of losing its main export terminal. Trump's reference to negotiations 'aimed at ending the conflict' suggests some diplomatic channel exists, but the source offers no details on demands or progress. The biggest question is whether Iran will retaliate militarily or return to talks under the shadow of a looming attack.