Trump Signals Willingness to Bomb Iranian Oil Hub 'For Fun,' Sparks Concerns Over US Reliability

Washington D.C. -- US President Donald Trump has stated that he is not ready for an immediate deal with Iran. He indicated that he might continue bombing the Kharg Island, considered Iran's main oil export hub, even if it is just 'for fun.'

In an interview with the American television network NBC News, Trump warned that although Iran claims to desire a ceasefire, the US would continue bombing the Iranian coast if necessary.

He stated that the US would continue its actions until the major sea route, allegedly taken over by Iran, is reopened. Approximately 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas is transported through this waterway. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claims to have taken full control of this route.

Writing on the social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, Trump called on many countries to send warships to end the blockade. He urged the participation of the UK, China, Japan, France, and South Korea. Meanwhile, a fire broke out at the Fujairah port following an Iranian drone attack. Since this port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the largest oil storage centers in the Middle East, some operations have been suspended.

Analysts have noted that Trump's comment about potentially continuing bombing 'for fun' has raised questions about the image of the US as a credible security partner. Speaking to Al Jazeera, a media outlet based in Qatar, Samir Puri, a Visiting Lecturer in War Studies at King's College London, stated that when a superpower offers security guarantees, not only military capability or weaponry but also responsible strategic thinking is important.

According to him, to be a credible security partner, a nation must demonstrate stability and the ability to make prudent decisions. He also mentioned that the behavior of other members of the Trump administration would compel Gulf countries to question whether the US is a stable partner in the long term.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly commented that the US appears overly enthusiastic about war with Iran. He suggests that Gulf countries desire stability despite the long-standing rivalry between Iran and Arab nations. Therefore, the main question now is whether the US can maintain stability in this region. According to Puri, the religious regime in Iran is likely to become more hardline following an attack on Iran by the US and Israel during negotiations, which could further escalate regional tensions.