US President Donald Trump has revealed his desire to “take the oil” in Iran, specifically eyeing the strategic export hub of Kharg Island, according to a report by the Financial Times. In an interview published recently, the President suggested that seizing control of Iran’s primary oil infrastructure remains a top priority for his administration. This bold declaration comes as thousands of US troops, including an amphibious assault team and units from the 82nd Airborne, mass in the Persian Gulf region following their arrival on 28 March.
During the interview on 29 March, Mr Trump explicitly stated that his preference would be to take the oil, drawing a direct comparison to previous US operations in Venezuela. He referenced the January operation in the South American nation, where the US captured leader Nicolas Maduro and moved to control the country’s oil industry. The President dismissed domestic critics of such a strategy, labelling those who question the move as “stupid people” while maintaining that securing Iranian energy resources is his preferred course of action.
Unlike previous engagements, seizing Iran’s oil would require a ground invasion and the occupation of Kharg Island, which serves as both a massive export terminal and a significant Iranian naval base. Mr Trump acknowledged that such an undertaking would necessitate a long-term US military presence on the island. Despite the complexities of a maritime invasion, the President remained confident in US military superiority, suggesting that Iranian defences on the island could be easily overcome.
The geopolitical tension has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, with Brent crude trading above US$115 a barrel, nearing its highest peak since the onset of the conflict. For the past four weeks, the US and Israel have conducted sustained strikes against Iranian targets. In response, Iran has launched retaliatory attacks against Israeli territory, US military installations, and industrial sites within US-allied nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Iranian officials have responded defiantly to the prospect of a ground assault on their sovereign territory. On 29 March, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated via the Tasnim news agency that their forces are “waiting for American soldiers” to attempt a ground entry. As the military build-up continues in the Gulf, the international community remains on high alert for a potential escalation that could see the conflict transition from aerial strikes to a direct ground confrontation over Iran’s most valuable natural resources.
