U.S. President Donald Trump has outlined his stance on the ongoing Iran war. He stated that his preferred course of action would be to take control of Iran’s oil resources. Trump’s comments come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and rising global oil prices.
Donald Trump says his preference would be oil in Iran
Donald Trump told Financial Times his “preference would be to take the oil” in Iran. This was one of his most direct positions on the issue so far. “To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the U.S. say: ‘Why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people,” Trump said.
The comments follow weeks of attacks in the region, involving the U.S., Israel, and Iranian forces. Trump added that the U.S. has “a lot of options,” including the possibility of seizing Kharg Island, a critical export hub responsible for more than 90% of Iran’s oil exports. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options. It would also mean we had to be there for a while,” he said.
Kharg Island has been a strategic focal point in the war, as it is the key artery for Iran’s oil exports. The site has also been targeted during recent strikes on Iranian infrastructure, alongside other energy and military facilities. However, Trump’s comments are a shift from earlier statements.
In a previous interview with NBC News, Trump avoided confirming whether the U.S. would attempt to take Iran’s oil, instead referencing past global discussions around similar actions in other countries. Moreover, Donald Trump waged the war on Iran based on the motive to destroy the country’s nuclear program, which Iran insists is entirely peaceful, among other things.
U.S. crude oil prices have surpassed $100 a barrel amid the ongoing war, which has disrupted global energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which approximately 20% of the world’s oil exports pass, remains a point of tension.
