Trump Claims Iran Oil Facility is ‘Completely Obliterated’ but Hints at More Strikes for ‘Enjoyment’

President Donald Trump declared that Kharg Island, a pivotal site for Iranian oil operations, has been “completely obliterated” by U.S. airstrikes, while asserting that Iran is eager to negotiate a ceasefire.

In a Saturday conversation with NBC News, Trump boasted about the military's actions, stating, “We totally demolished the island,” and added, “we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”

The Pentagon reported that the U.S. military expended $11.3 billion in munitions during the initial week of hostilities in Iran.

During a 30-minute phone interview, Trump indicated that Iran was seeking a ceasefire but he had not accepted their terms, which he deemed insufficient. He refrained from detailing the alleged offer but emphasized that any agreement must be “very solid” and include Iran’s commitment to refrain from developing nuclear weapons.

“Iran wants to make a deal, and I don’t want to make it because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” he stated.

Trump also raised doubts about the vitality of Iran’s new supreme leader, expressing surprise at Iran’s aggressive actions against neighboring countries following a joint U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign. He urged allies such as the U.K., France, and Japan to deploy naval forces to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open for oil transport.

He remarked, “We’re going to be sweeping the strait very strongly, and we believe we’ll be joined by other countries who are somewhat impeded from getting the oil.”

Regarding potential U.S. naval escorts for commercial vessels in the strait, he said it was “possible.”

On the future of the conflict, Trump noted, “The only power they have, and it’s a power that can be closed off relatively quickly, is the power of dropping a mine or shooting a relatively short-range missile. But when we get finished with the shoreline, they’re not going to have that power either.”

He continued, “We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out most of their drones. We knocked out their manufacturing of missiles and drones, largely. Within two days, it’ll be totally decimated.”

Trump reiterated his claim about Kharg Island’s destruction, adding, “but we may hit it a few more times just for fun.”

This isn’t the first instance where Trump has suggested military actions are taken not solely out of necessity but for enjoyment. At a rally in Kentucky, he recounted a conversation with a military officer who claimed they had destroyed over 50 Iranian ships.

“I got angry at my people. I said, are they good ... I said, Why the hell did we kill them? Why didn’t we just capture them and use them in our Navy? And actually one of my generals said: ‘Sir, it's a lot more fun doing it this way,’” Trump shared with the crowd.

The U.S.-Israeli conflict in Iran has now entered its third week, with Trump yet to clarify how or when it will conclude.

He described the war as "very complete" while also stating that "nation building" in Iran is just beginning. Trump told Axios that there was “practically nothing left to target” in Iran and called on allied nations to assist in liberating the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian control. This appeal followed the announcement of 2,500 U.S. Marines being deployed to the region aboard an amphibious assault ship.

Thirteen U.S. service members have lost their lives due to the conflict, while over 1,000 Iranians have died, including at least 175 children and staff from a school believed to have been struck by U.S. bombs. Trump has suggested without evidence that Iran may bear some responsibility for those casualties.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the war will conclude when Trump deems it finished.

"The president has set a very specific mission to accomplish, and our job is to unrelentingly deliver that," Hegseth told reporters during a Pentagon briefing.

"Now he gets to control the throttle. He's the one deciding. He's the one elected on behalf of the American people when we're achieving those objectives. And so, it's not for me to posit whether it's the beginning, the middle or the end. That's his. And he'll continue to communicate that," he added.