Washington, Sept 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that the United States could potentially remain in Iran after the ongoing war and assume control of the country’s oil resources, drawing a comparison with Washington’s post-Maduro role in Venezuela.
Speaking during the Irish Open golf championship in Ireland, Trump indicated that while the US could eventually leave Iran, Washington might choose to remain if it decided to pursue control over the country’s oil.
“We’ll leave Iran, unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela,” Trump said.
The remarks come amid continuing uncertainty over the duration of the conflict and its impact on global energy markets. Trump also suggested that he expects the war to end around the time of the upcoming US midterm elections, saying it could conclude “right after the midterms, maybe before.”
Trump further claimed that Iran had been repeatedly seeking negotiations to resolve the conflict. However, he stressed that Washington would agree to a settlement only if it met US demands.
“We have to make the right deal,” Trump said, making clear that the United States would not accept an agreement that it considered unfavourable.
The President’s comments come as the conflict has caused significant disruption in global energy markets. Crude oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel, while US diesel prices have reportedly reached a record level of more than $6.20 per gallon.
Trump sought to reassure Americans that energy prices would ease once the conflict comes to an end.
“Gasoline prices will drop like a rock,” he said, linking a possible end to the war with lower fuel costs.
Venezuela Comparison
Trump’s reference to Venezuela relates to the US military operation on January 3, which resulted in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
According to reports, the operation was prepared over several months and involved extensive rehearsals by US Special Forces. Mock-ups of Maduro’s safe house were reportedly used during preparations, while intelligence from the CIA helped track his movements.
US forces captured Maduro and his wife in Caracas and subsequently transported them to the United States, where he was expected to face criminal charges. The operation followed months of diplomatic and economic pressure by the Trump administration against the Venezuelan government.
Following Maduro’s capture, Washington moved towards a more direct role in Venezuela’s oil sector. The United States assumed a major role in managing oil sales and pursued arrangements designed to provide US interests with access to Venezuela’s vast crude reserves.
Trump’s latest remarks have therefore raised the possibility that Washington could consider a similar economic approach in Iran.
Such a move would potentially extend the US role in the region beyond military and security objectives to include direct involvement in Iran’s energy resources. Iran possesses some of the world’s largest oil reserves, making any proposal involving control over its petroleum sector particularly significant for global energy markets.
Trump’s comments thus add another dimension to the ongoing conflict, negotiations and uncertainty surrounding the future of US involvement in Iran.
Disclaimer: This article is sourced from a news agency and has not been independently edited by the MaverickNews30 team. The copy has been slightly edited with AI assistance for language and presentation, without altering the original facts.
