US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States may carry out additional strikes on Iran's Kharg Island "just for fun," escalating rhetoric in the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran that began on February 28, 2026.
In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, March 15, 2026, Trump claimed recent US strikes had "totally demolished" much of the island—home to Iran's primary crude oil export terminal—and suggested further attacks could follow casually. "We may hit it a few more times just for fun," he stated, while reiterating that previous operations targeted only military sites and spared oil infrastructure "for reasons of decency."
Trump also urged allied nations to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world's oil passes, saying: "The Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help – A LOT!" He added that the US would coordinate to ensure safe passage but warned of reconsidering restraint if disruptions occur.
The comments follow US Central Command's precision strikes on over 90 military targets on Kharg Island, which Trump described as one of the "most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East." Analysts note that Kharg handles around 90% of Iran's oil exports, and any damage to its facilities could severely impact global energy supplies amid the conflict's disruption to shipping.
Iran responded strongly. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking on CBS' Face the Nation and MS NOW, condemned the war as "illegal" with "no victory," criticizing Trump's "just for fun" remark: "There are people being killed only because President Trump wants to have ‘fun’." He rejected negotiations, saying there is "no good experience talking with Americans" after the attacks, and vowed Iran would respond carefully but intensify retaliation if energy infrastructure is hit further. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has already launched missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets and US bases in the region as initial reprisals.
The war, now in its third week, has killed more than 2,000 people, mostly in Iran. Tehran views it as an existential struggle, while experts suggest Iran may rely on asymmetric tactics to sustain the fight despite conventional setbacks. A diplomatic adviser to the UAE emphasized restraint, noting the risks of escalation in the Gulf.
Trump indicated Iran wants a deal but claimed US terms are not yet acceptable. The provocative language has heightened fears of broader regional involvement and further oil market chaos. No immediate confirmation of new strikes was reported as of March 16, 2026.