Trump says he wants to seize oil in Iran following Venezuela-style scenario

US President Donald Trump has said he wants to seize oil in Iran following a scenario similar to the one seen in Venezuela.

Source: Trump in an interview with the Financial Times

Details: The FT reports that Trump said he would prefer to seize the oil, comparing this potential move to the situation in Venezuela, where the United States intends to control the oil industry indefinitely after the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro in January.

Quote: "To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: 'why are you doing that?' But they're stupid people."

Details: The FT notes that Trump's intentions would involve the seizure of Kharg Island – a hub through which most of Iran's oil exports pass.

The FT adds that an attack on the island would be risky, as it would increase the likelihood of further US military casualties and lead to higher costs and a prolongation of the war.

Quote: "Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don't. We have a lot of options.

It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.

I don't think they have any defence. We could take it very easily."

Details: However, the FT writes that, despite his threats to block Iranian oil production, Trump stressed that indirect talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Pakistani envoys, are progressing successfully.

Trump set Iran a deadline of 6 April to agree to a deal to end the war, warning that otherwise its energy sector would face US strikes.

Asked whether a ceasefire agreement that would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen could be reached in the coming days, Trump declined to provide specific details.

Quote: "We've got about 3,000 targets left – we've bombed 13,000 targets – and another couple of thousand targets to go.

A deal could be made fairly quickly."

Details: Trump also said that a regime change had already taken place in Iran after the country's long-time Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and many other senior officials were killed at the start of the war and in subsequent strikes.

Quote: "The people we're dealing with are a totally different group of people . . . [They] are very professional."

Details: Trump also repeated his claims that Mojtaba Khamenei, Khamenei's son and Iran's new Supreme Leader, may be either dead or seriously injured. "The son is either dead or in extremely bad shape," he said.

Quote: "We've not heard from him at all. He's gone."

Details: Although Tehran insists that Iran's leader is safe and in good health, his absence from public view has fuelled speculation that he has been seriously injured.

Background:

• Trump explained why he prefers the term "military operation" in Iran rather than war.
• It has been reported that, according to the Washington Post, the Pentagon is preparing for weeks-long ground operations in Iran.
• According to The New York Times, the number of US troops currently in the Middle East exceeds 50,000 – around 10,000 more than usual.
• On the night of 29-30 March, oil prices rose after Tehran issued a warning about a possible US ground invasion.

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