U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that the United States could seize Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export terminal in the Persian Gulf, escalating fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East.

In an interview published Monday by the Financial Times, Trump said Washington has “many options” regarding the island, which handles most of Iran’s crude exports.

“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump said, adding that any operation would likely require a prolonged U.S. military presence on the island.

Kharg Island is strategically vital because it is believed to process roughly 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports. Earlier this month, U.S. forces reportedly struck Iranian military positions on the island while leaving its oil infrastructure intact, fueling speculation that Washington may seek to control rather than destroy the facility.

Trump also claimed that Iran had agreed to allow 20 oil tankers to transit through the Strait of Hormuz beginning Monday, describing the move as a “gift” and a “sign of respect” toward the United States.

The president said negotiations with Tehran were progressing and predicted that an agreement could be reached soon, although he acknowledged uncertainty.

The remarks came as the United States continued to expand its military footprint in the region. According to the United States Central Command, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has been deployed with approximately 3,500 additional personnel, adding to an estimated 50,000 U.S. troops already in the Middle East.

Iranian officials reacted sharply. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf dismissed proposed negotiations in Pakistan as a cover for a possible U.S. ground invasion.

According to Iranian state media, Ghalibaf warned that Iranian forces were waiting for any arriving American troops and would “punish” them and their regional allies.

Meanwhile, Pakistan announced that it is preparing to host talks between the United States and Iran in an effort to de-escalate the month-long conflict. Officials in Islamabad said the discussions could take place in the coming days, although it remains unclear whether they would be direct or indirect negotiations.

The war has already left more than 1,900 dead in Iran, over 1,200 in Lebanon, 19 in Israel and 13 American service members, while millions of civilians have been displaced across the region.