In a surprising twist of events, Brian Kilmeade, a host on Fox News, seemed to foresee a significant military action involving Donald Trump. In an interview recorded before the United States launched a strategic strike on Iran’s military assets on Kharg Island, Kilmeade’s inquiry turned out to be notably prescient.
The discussion, taped on Thursday for Kilmeade’s radio show and broadcast the following Friday morning, came just a short time before Trump revealed the action against what he described as Iran’s ‘crown jewel.’ During the interview, Kilmeade posed a question that was oddly in tune with unfolding events: “Are you thinking about taking Kharg Island, where 90 percent of Iranian oil goes through?”
Trump, known for his chummy rapport with Kilmeade, a prominent figure on the conservative media landscape, seemed visibly irked by the question. He attempted to sidestep the inquiry with a vague response.
“I can’t answer a question like that. You shouldn’t ask it. It’s not high on the list, but it’s one of many different things, and I can change my mind in seconds,” Trump retorted, clearly trying to deflect the line of questioning.
Continuing his evasive stance, Trump then countered with a rhetorical question of his own: “Who would ask a question like that, and what fool would answer it?” This exchange underscored the often unpredictable nature of political interviews and the delicate dance of diplomacy and media relations.
He then asked Kilmeade: ‘Who would ask a question like that, and what fool would answer it?’
‘It’s sort of a foolish question. A little surprising for you, because you’re a smart man,’ he told the host.
‘Let’s say I was going to do it or let’s say I wasn’t going to do it, why would I tell you?’
Fox News host Brian Kilmeade appeared to predict the future a little too accurately for Donald Trump during an interview recorded before the US military ‘obliterated’ Kharg Island
The chat, recorded Thursday for the host’s radio show and aired Friday morning, happened just hours before Trump announced they’d taken out Iran’s ‘crown jewel’
Trump said later Friday that the United States military ‘obliterated’ targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, warning the country’s oil infrastructure could be next.
The president announced the action in a social media post as he prepared to fly to Florida for the weekend.
‘Moments ago, at my direction, the United States Central Command executed one of the most powerful bombing raids in the History of the Middle East, and totally obliterated every MILITARY target in Iran’s crown jewel, Kharg Island,’ Trump said.
For now, however, he has told US forces to avoid taking out Iran’s oil infrastructure.
‘For reasons of decency, I have chosen NOT to wipe out the Oil Infrastructure on the Island.
‘However, should Iran, or anyone else, do anything to interfere with the Free and Safe Passage of Ships through the Strait of Hormuz, I will immediately reconsider this decision.’
Trump answered questions from reporters traveling with him before he boarded Air Force One but did not mention the latest US military operation.
The small island in the Persian Gulf is the primary terminal through which all of Iran’s oil exports pass.
Trump said later Friday that the United States military ‘obliterated’ targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, warning the country’s oil infrastructure could be next
Iran’s parliament speaker warned on Thursday that attacks on the Persian Gulf islands on Iran’s southern maritime frontier would provoke a new level of retaliation, underscoring how central they are to the country’s economy and security.
In a social media post on Thursday, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Iran ‘will abandon all restraint’ if the islands come under attack and said Trump will be responsible for ‘the blood of American soldiers.’
It was not clear what prompted Qalibaf’s remarks, but he was not the first to raise the possibility of an attack on the islands since the Iran war began February 28.
The US and Israel both have suggested expanding their list of targets beyond military and nuclear sites.
Officials in Israel’s government haven’t publicly referenced the island, but opposition leader Yair Lapid has called for striking energy infrastructure on Kharg Island.
‘That is what will cripple Iran’s economy and topple the regime,’ he wrote on X last Sunday.
Although they account for only a small share of Iran’s territory, the islands carry outsized importance because of their oil facilities and strategic location.
The small coral island about 21 miles off Iran’s coast is the primary terminal through which nearly all of Iran’s oil exports pass.
Iran has exported 13.7 million barrels since the war started, and multiple tankers were seen on satellite imagery Wednesday loading at Kharg, according to TankerTrackers.com, maritime intelligence company.
Iran gets a significant share of its $78 billion a year in revenue from oil, with shipments flowing to countries like China.
Fire burns and smoke rises from Aqdasieh Oil Depot after being reportedly hit by a strike
Smoke rises following an explosion, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Tehran
A strike on Kharg would not only damage Iran’s current government but also could undermine the viability of whatever might eventually replace it.
Kharg Island, Qeshm Island, and the tiny islands of Abu Musa and the Greater and Lesser Tunb carry outsized importance because of their oil facilities and strategic location.
The island has storage tanks in the south, along with housing for thousands of workers.
Gazelles roam freely near the refineries and depots that make Kharg one of Iran’s most valuable — and sensitive — assets.
Petras Katinas, an energy researcher at the Royal United Services Institute, said Kharg Island was critical to funding Iran’s government and military.
If Iran were to lose control of Kharg, it would be difficult for the country to function, even though the island isn’t a military or nuclear target, he said.
‘It doesn’t matter which regime is in power — new or old,’ Katinas said. A takeover would give the U.S. leverage over negotiations with Iran because the island is ‘the main node’ of its economy.
JPMorgan’s global commodity research team warned this week in an investment note that a strike on the island would have major economic implications.
‘The island has often been viewed as a critical vulnerability, yet it has rarely been directly targeted,’ it said.
‘A direct strike would immediately halt the bulk of Iran’s crude exports, likely triggering severe retaliation in the Strait of Hormuz or against regional energy infrastructure.’
