US President Donald Trump has said he would prefer to “take the oil in Iran” and suggested that the United States could seize Kharg Island, the country’s main oil export hub, as the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran continues to intensify. His remarks come as thousands of additional American troops are being deployed to West Asia and global oil prices surge amid fears of a wider regional war.
In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump said taking control of Iran’s oil resources would be his “favourite thing.” He added that some critics in the US oppose the idea but dismissed them as “stupid people.”
Trump indicated that capturing Kharg Island could be one of several military options being considered by Washington.
Kharg Island handles the majority of Iran’s oil exports, making it one of the most strategic energy hubs in West Asia. Trump said the Pentagon has multiple plans ready. “Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” he said, while adding that any such operation would likely require a long-term American presence on the island.
