US President Donald Trump has said he was “surprised” that Iran retaliated against Gulf countries following American strikes on the strategic Kharg Island, while claiming that US forces had “decimated” military targets on the Iranian oil hub. His comments come as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran continues to escalate across the Middle East.
Escalation around Iran’s key oil export hub
Kharg Island, located off Iran’s southern coast in the Persian Gulf, is the country’s most important oil export terminal and a critical component of its energy infrastructure. US military strikes on the island targeted dozens of Iranian military installations in an effort to weaken Tehran’s ability to threaten shipping routes and regional allies.
Trump said American forces had “totally demolished” most military targets on the island during the operation, describing the strikes as a major blow to Iran’s strategic capabilities. He added that oil infrastructure had largely been spared but warned that further attacks could be carried out if Iran continued threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US president also suggested that additional strikes might be ordered, saying Washington could hit Kharg Island again “just for fun”, a remark that drew strong reactions from analysts and diplomats concerned about further escalation.
Iranian retaliation spreads across the Gulf
In the days following the strikes, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting several Gulf states that host US military facilities or are seen as supporting the American-led campaign.
Countries including Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have reported missile interceptions, infrastructure damage and casualties from falling debris as Iranian projectiles targeted bases and strategic facilities in the region.
Trump said he had not expected Iran to strike neighbouring countries so quickly, expressing surprise that Tehran expanded its retaliation beyond direct confrontation with US forces.
The attacks have raised fears that the conflict could widen into a broader regional war involving multiple Middle Eastern states.
Global energy and security concerns
The fighting has placed renewed focus on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes. Disruptions to shipping and concerns over further strikes on energy infrastructure have already pushed oil prices sharply higher and triggered warnings about global economic impacts.
Regional governments have expressed growing frustration about being drawn into a conflict that they did not initiate, as Iranian strikes and US-led operations increasingly affect Gulf security and economic stability.
At the same time, Washington has urged allies to help secure shipping routes and protect regional infrastructure, signalling that the conflict could evolve into a broader multinational security effort.
Diplomacy still uncertain
Despite the intensifying military confrontation, Trump indicated that negotiations with Iran were still theoretically possible. However, he said that any potential deal was not imminent because Tehran’s proposed terms were “not good enough yet”.
Diplomatic observers note that the conflict has entered a volatile phase in which military pressure and political signalling are unfolding simultaneously. While both sides have demonstrated their capacity to escalate, the absence of a clear diplomatic pathway raises concerns about the risk of a prolonged regional confrontation.
Newshub Editorial in North America – March 15, 2026
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