United States President Donald Trump has said his preferred option in the ongoing war with Iran would be for the US to take control of the country’s oil. He made the remark in a new interview with the Financial Times, offering one of his clearest signals yet about how he views Iran’s energy resources.
To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, Trump said, according to the report. He added that some people in the US questioned the idea, but dismissed them as stupid for doing so.
Trump also floated the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export hub in the Gulf. The coral island handles over 90 percent of Iran’s crude exports and is a critical node in the country’s energy infrastructure.
Perhaps we take Kharg Island, perhaps we do not. We have many options, he said, noting that such a move would require the US to maintain a presence on the island for some time. He did not give a clear timeline or firm decision on whether Washington would pursue that step.
Earlier in March, Trump had told NBC News it was too soon to talk publicly about seizing Iran’s oil, although he acknowledged that people have contemplated such a move. His latest comments suggest the idea remains on the table as the conflict drags on.
Analysts warn that any attempt to take Iranian oil or occupy Kharg Island would sharply escalate tensions with Tehran and could provoke a wider regional confrontation. It could also strain relations with China, which buys a large share of Iran’s crude, and further destabilise global oil markets already shaken by the war.
Despite the tough rhetoric, Trump also said a deal with Iran could be reached quite quickly, even as US and Israeli forces continue extensive strikes on Iranian targets. He claimed there are still about 3,000 targets remaining after thousands of sites have already been hit.
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