U.S. Ambassador to the UN. Mike Waltz said on Sunday that he did not believe President Donald Trump was likely to take any options off the table with regard to the ongoing military action in Iran — even options that could compromise oil production in the region.
Waltz, a Green Beret veteran, addressed recent attacks on Iran’s “crown jewel” — Kharg Island — and said that while the initial attacks specifically targeted military assets, he did not believe Trump would rule out the possibility of strikes that damaged the regime’s oil infrastructure.
WATCH:
TAPPER: Is President Trump prepared to target those oil facilities on Kharg Island?
UN AMB. MIKE WALTZ: “Well President Trump’s not going to take any options off the table… I would certainly think he would maintain that optionality if he wants to take down their energy… pic.twitter.com/EIonYFHELY— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) March 15, 2026
Tapper noted that Kharg Island was Iran’s “key oil hub” — and that the attacks thus far had been limited to solely military targets — but turned to Waltz and asked, “Iran says oil production on the island is proceeding normally. If Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz, is President Trump prepared to target those oil facilities — which, as you know, handle 90% of Iran’s crude oil exports — and if so, are you worried that could risk even more of an escalation when it comes to the Strait of Hormuz?”
“Well President Trump’s not going to take any options off the table, Jake, and he pointed out in his Truth [post] when he announced the military infrastructure strikes on Kharg, which by the way they used to project their fast boats, drones, and other types of attacks into the Gulf, that he deliberately hit the military infrastructure only — for now,” Waltz replied.
“I would certainly think he would maintain that optionality if he wants to take down their energy infrastructure,” he added. Waltz went on to say that an unrestrained Iran had been using those military assets to put a stranglehold on shipping — whether of oil or other goods — from other countries, and that those efforts would only redouble and get more dangerous for all involved if Iran had been allowed to obtain nuclear capabilities.
Trump said late on Friday, after ordering the strikes on Kharg Island, that his intention was to only hit military targets unless Iran continued to wreak havoc on any ships attempting to travel through the Strait of Hormuz.
