Trump openly allowed the seizure of the Iranian island of Kharg. What the media is writing

US President Donald Trump has admitted that US troops could capture Kharg Island, through which up to 90% of Iran's oil exports pass. At the same time, he claims that he is negotiating with Tehran. The Pentagon believes that the landing on Kharg will force the Iranian leadership to open the Strait of Hormuz, which will lead to lower oil prices. How the world's media react to a possible escalation of the conflict is in the Izvestia digest.

Associated Press: Trump is considering seizing Kharg Island

Trump is openly contemplating seizing the Iranian oil terminal on Kharg Island in the Persian Gulf, while the US and Israel continue their attacks on Iran, despite signs of progress in the nascent ceasefire negotiations. Trump said Iran had agreed to allow the passage of 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz as a "sign of respect." At the same time, given that 2,500 American Marines are already in the region, and a similar contingent is heading there, he raised the issue of capturing Kharg.

Pakistan announced on March 29 that it would soon become a platform for negotiations between the United States and Iran, although there was no immediate comment from Washington or Tehran, and it was unclear whether discussions about the month-long war would be direct or indirect. Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the talks would take place "in the coming days." At the same time, Trump told reporters that the United States is negotiating with Iran "directly and indirectly," although Iran insists that it has not conducted any negotiations with Washington.

Financial Times: Trump says the US could "take all the oil in Iran"

Trump said he wanted to "seize Iranian oil" and could take control of the export center on Kharg Island, as the United States is sending thousands of troops to the Middle East. The US president said he would "prefer to take the oil away," comparing the potential scenario with the situation in Venezuela, where the US intends to control the oil industry "indefinitely" after the overthrow of President Nicolas Maduro in January.

When asked about the state of the Iranian defenses on Kharg Island, Trump replied: "I don't think they have any fortifications there. We could easily capture them." However, despite threats to suspend Iranian oil production, Trump stressed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, mediated by Pakistani "emissaries," are progressing successfully. Trump has given Iran an ultimatum: by April 6, it must accept an agreement that will end the war, otherwise the United States will launch attacks on its energy sector.

The Washington Post: The Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran

According to US officials, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran if Trump decides to escalate the situation. Any potential ground operation would not amount to a full-scale invasion and could instead involve raids conducted by special operations forces and conventional infantry units, officials said.

According to recent polls, the prospect of deploying American combat troops on Iranian territory is encountering significant resistance among Americans. One survey conducted jointly by the Associated Press and the National Center for Public Opinion Research at the University of Chicago showed that 62% of respondents strongly oppose the use of ground forces in Iran, while only 12% support this idea.

BBC News: Why Trump wants to seize Kharg Island

The seizure of Kharg Island will not only block the export of Iranian oil, but may also provide a platform for attacks on the Iranian mainland. This will actually cut off the economic ties of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which will affect its ability to wage war. The United States probably expects to seize the island and use it as leverage to force the Iranians to keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

In recent weeks, Iran has strengthened the defense of Kharg Island in response to the threat, deploying additional military personnel and air defense systems. Tehran has sent portable anti-aircraft missile systems to the island and set traps in the surrounding waters, including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines.

Hell on the other shore: the US invasion of the Iranian islands could turn into a disaster

Washington is preparing scenarios for a ground operation - Tehran is ready to respond by blocking key sea routes. Washington is preparing invasion scenarios for the Iranian islands

Reuters: the price of Brent crude oil is approaching a record monthly jump

Brent crude oil prices are heading for a record monthly increase after the Yemeni Houthis launched their first attacks on Israel, expanding the US-Israeli war with Iran in the Middle East. Futures jumped $3.94, or 3.5%, to $116.51 per barrel, after rising 4.2% on March 27. The price of American WTI crude oil was $102.14 per barrel, rising by $1.86, or 1.87%, after rising by 5.5% in the previous session.

"The market has almost completely excluded from consideration the prospect of a negotiated settlement of the war, despite Trump's statements about the ongoing "direct and indirect" negotiations with Iran, and is preparing for a sharp escalation of hostilities, which is a bullish signal for oil, while there remains huge uncertainty about the timing and nature of the outcome," Vandana Hari said. founder of the analytical company Vanda Insights, specializing in the analysis of the oil market.

Brent crude soared 59% in March, marking the sharpest monthly jump and surpassing the growth seen during the 1990 Gulf War. The war, which began on February 28 with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, has spread throughout the Middle East, raising concerns about shipping lanes around the Arabian Peninsula and the Red Sea. On March 30, the Israeli military announced that Iran had fired several waves of rockets at Israel, and that the attack had come from Yemen, only the second such incident since the start of the war.