In an NBC News interview on March 15, 2026, Trump said the US had 'totally demolished' most of Iran's Kharg Island and that 'we may hit it a few more times just for fun.' Kharg Island handles 90% of Iran's crude oil exports and is critical to global energy markets.
The comments drew widespread criticism for trivializing war and contradicted the administration's own messaging about precision military strikes. CENTCOM had stated it struck 90 military targets while preserving oil infrastructure — making Trump's boast about demolishing the island and hitting it again 'for fun' either a lie about what was struck or a threat to escalate beyond military targets.
Iran's Foreign Minister threatened to target American companies' facilities in the region if energy infrastructure is hit. Oil prices surged to near $105/barrel (Brent Crude) as markets reacted to the instability.
The 'just for fun' remark about bombing a foreign country's critical infrastructure — during an active war that has killed over 1,200 people including, by early reports, 175 or more at a school in Minab — reflects the same casual attitude toward violence Trump displayed when he posted 'It is my great honor to be killing them' two days earlier.
Correction (September 17, 2026): an earlier version of this entry described the Minab school as a girls' school. A UN fact-finding mission describes it as a primary school for girls and boys aged 6 to 13 and cites a final local toll of 156, including 120 schoolchildren.
Related entries: Trump Posts 'It Is My Great Honor to Be Killing Them' About Iranians, Says the War Ends When He 'Feels It in His Bones'.