In an exclusive interview with the Financial Times, U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to take control of Iran's oil resources, specifically targeting the strategic export hub on Kharg Island.
President Trump compared this potential move to current U.S. policy toward Venezuela.
Following a military operation in Caracas last January, where President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained and taken to New York, Washington has maintained control over Venezuelan oil under an interim government.
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"To be honest, my favorite thing would be to take control of Iran's oil," Trump told the Financial Times. Addressing domestic critics, he added, "But some stupid people in the U.S. say, 'Why are you doing this?' They’re really stupid."
The President indicated that the administration is weighing several strategies regarding Iran's primary export terminal. "Maybe we’ll take control of Kharg Island, or maybe we won’t. We have many options," he stated, suggesting that a U.S. presence on the island might be necessary for a period.
When questioned about Iran’s defensive capabilities on Kharg Island, Trump dismissed the challenge. "I don’t think they [Iran] have any defense system. We can take control of it very easily," he claimed.
The remarks, sourced via reports from Al Jazeera and the BBC, signal a significant hardening of the administration's stance toward Tehran's energy infrastructure.
