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Khamenei’s Son Moztaba: Dead or Critically Ill
President Donald Trump raised the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, the primary hub for Iran’s oil exports, signaling an intention to assert control over Iranian oil.
In a March 29 interview with the Financial Times, Trump said, “What I want most is to take Iran’s oil,” and added, “We might seize Kharg Island, or we might not. We have a range of options.”
He argued that Iran lacks adequate defenses and that U.S. forces could capture the island very easily.
Trump also said that occupying Kharg would require stationing troops there for a period of time. Analysts interpret that as an effort to control the area and choke off Iran’s oil exports. Kharg handles roughly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, so seizing it would likely inflict a severe blow to the Iranian economy.
Some observers note that Kharg lies within the inner basin of the Persian Gulf and would not, on its own, provide control over the Strait of Hormuz. They say forces might instead target islands closer to the strait first. Abu Musa, the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, Hengam, Qeshm, Larak and Hormuz are among seven islands cited as possible targets.
Trump also said indirect talks through Pakistan are progressing smoothly and that an agreement could be reached quickly. He pointed to Iran’s decision to expand passage for tankers flying the Pakistani flag as evidence of negotiating progress.
On Iran’s internal situation, he claimed that Iran has effectively undergone a regime change after the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, saying that “the group we’re now negotiating with is different and more professional.” He added that Khamenei’s son, Moztaba Khamenei, “is either dead or critically ill,” and that his current whereabouts are unknown.
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