US President Donald Trump has said that Iran’s key oil export hub, Kharg Island, could be “easily” seized, raising fresh concerns over a possible escalation in the ongoing conflict.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump questioned Iran’s defensive capabilities on the island. “I don’t think they have any real defense there. We could take it very easily,” he said.

He added that gaining control over Iran’s energy resources would be a desirable outcome. “Frankly, my favorite option is taking control of Iran’s oil,” Trump said, while criticizing domestic opposition to such a move.

However, the US president indicated that no final decision has been made. “Maybe we’ll take Kharg Island, maybe we won’t. We have a lot of options,” he stated.

Trump also suggested that US forces might need to remain on the island for a period if such an operation were carried out.

Kharg Island, located off Iran’s western coast, is the country’s main oil export terminal. Recent reports have indicated that the Pentagon is considering the island as a potential target in any limited ground operation, though US officials have said a full-scale invasion is not under consideration.