"The United States will be hitting Iran (Whose Navy, Air Force, Radar, Anti Aircraft, and all other forms of Defense, together with most of its offensive capability, are GONE!), VERY HARD TONIGHT," US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday and added:

"At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela, which is working out brilliantly for both Venezuela and the United States of America."

Market reaction

The US Dollar (USD) gathered strength with the immediate reaction to these remarks. At the time of press, the USD Index was up 0.1% on the day at 100.18.