He talked about it in an in an interview Financial Times.
The FT writes that Trump said he would “prefer to take over the oil,” comparing this potential move to the situation in Venezuela, where the US intends to control the oil industry “indefinitely” following the takeover of dictator Nicolas Maduro in January.
“Frankly, I like taking oil from Iran the best, but some stupid people in the U.S. say, ‘Why are you doing this?’ But those are stupid people,” Trump said.
The FT notes that Trump’s intentions likely include seizing Kharq Island, the hub through which most Iranian oil is exported.
The publication notes that an attack on the island would be risky, as it would increase the likelihood of more U.S. military casualties and increase costs and prolong the war.
“We may or may not capture Hark Island. We have a lot of options. It would also mean that we would have to stay there for a while,” the American president explained. And added: “I don’t think they have any defenses. We could capture it very easily.”
However, writes the FT, despite his threats to block Iranian oil production, Trump emphasized that indirect talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistani “envoys,” are progressing well.
Trump has set a deadline of April 6 for Iran to agree to an agreement to end the war, or else its energy sector will face strikes from the US.
Asked if a ceasefire agreement could be reached in the coming days that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, Trump declined to provide specific details.
“We have about 3,000 targets left – we’ve bombed 13,000 targets – and several thousand more targets ahead,” Donald Trump shared his plans.
The US-Israeli operation against Iran has been going on for a month. All this time, the sides have been exchanging strikes. The escalation of the conflict has led to an almost complete cessation of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and LNG supplies from Arab countries.
