House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, declined to directly answer questions from reporters on Thursday regarding President Donald Trump’s recent comments about potentially seizing Iran’s Kharg Island oil terminal.The exchange occurred on the Capitol steps after CNN reporter Manu Raju asked whether Congress should vote before any U.S.action tied to Trump’s proposal.

Johnson initially responded by suggesting that Trump was communicating with adversaries and urged caution in interpreting the details of the former president’s remarks.

However, when pressed further on whether Congress should have a vote on such a decision, Johnson avoided giving a clear answer and quickly walked away, stating he needed to take a photo.

Trump’s comments had been made earlier in the day on Truth Social, where he suggested the United States should take control of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export hub responsible for the majority of the country’s crude shipments, along with other energy infrastructure sites.

His remarks followed an earlier Fox & Friends interview in which he appeared uncertain about public support for such military action, though he still described strikes and intensified operations for the near future.

The proposal drew concern from analysts, who warned that seizing the island would be extremely difficult and could trigger major economic and geopolitical consequences.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized the idea on the Senate floor, calling the broader strategy a “fiasco” and warning it could involve putting American troops on the ground.

The incident highlights growing political tension in Washington over Trump’s rhetoric on Iran and the lack of clarity regarding congressional oversight in potential military escalation.