President Donald Trump indicated on Monday that the United States could consider taking control of Iranian oil as the conflict with Tehran intensifies, signaling that the regime must be stripped of its ability to threaten U.S. allies in the Middle East.
In remarks to NBC News, Trump noted discussions about such a move but stated it was premature. “Certainly, people have talked about it,” he said. He pointed to Venezuela as an example: following a U.S. raid in January that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the administration secured access to Venezuela’s oil reserves. During his State of the Union address last month, Trump claimed the United States had obtained more than 80 million barrels from Venezuela.
“You look at Venezuela,” he told NBC. “People have thought about it, but it’s too soon to talk about that.”
The potential U.S. action on Iranian oil could further strain relations with China, which buys approximately 80% of Iran’s crude exports. China remains America’s chief geopolitical rival and a major economic lifeline for the Iranian regime.
Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel over the weekend as U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran escalated. Iran, the world’s ninth-largest oil producer, accounts for about 5% of global output.
Trump also criticized Iran’s selection of Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, as the new head of the Iranian regime. “I think they made a big mistake,” Trump said. “I don’t know if it’s going to last.”
In other comments during the interview, Trump addressed the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration nationwide. He noted that Congress has not advanced the bill significantly and stated he would not take action until they do.
Additionally, Trump attended the transfer of remains of six U.S. service members killed in recent combat with Iran, calling them “great people.”
