President Donald Trump declared on Sunday, March 29 that he wanted to “take the oil in Iran” and could seize the Kharg Island, a hub for the country’s oil exports.
“The United States hits Iran’s oil hub in the Gulf,” Trump said during an interview with the Financial Times, expressing his preference for taking Iranian oil similar to the actions taken in Venezuela earlier this year.
Taking Iranian oil would involve seizing the Kharg Island, through which more than 90% of Iranian oil exports pass. Trump mentioned that the US has several options, including taking the island, but acknowledged the potential risks and consequences of such an action.
Trump’s statements come as the US escalates its military presence in the Middle East and considers a military operation to retrieve approximately 450 kg of uranium from Iran.
Despite the military build-up, Trump revealed that indirect talks between the US and Iran are progressing through Pakistani intermediaries, with the possibility of reaching an agreement quickly.
Oil prices have surged following massive US and Israel attacks on Iran on February 28, with Brent reaching $119.5 per barrel in March, the highest level since June 2022.
This news article was sourced from AFP/VNA/CVN.
