Trump Opens Option to Seize Iranian Oil as Middle East Tensions Heat Up

US President Donald Trump has stated his desire to take over Iran’s oil and seize the country’s main oil export centre on Kharg Island. Quoted from the Financial Times on Monday (30/3/2026), Donald Trump said that the option of controlling Iran’s energy sources is his preference. He compared it to US policy in Venezuela, which he said aims to control the oil industry “without a time limit” following the capture of Nicolás Maduro in January. Brent crude oil prices were reported to have broken through more than $116 US dollars per barrel in Asian trading, approaching the highest level since the conflict began, after rising more than 50 percent in a month. “Honestly, the thing I like most is taking Iran’s oil, but some people in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they are stupid people,” Trump said. The plan could involve taking over Kharg Island, Iran’s main oil export route. In line with that, the US is increasing its military presence in the region. The Pentagon has ordered the deployment of around 10,000 troops trained for seizure and control operations. Nevertheless, the move to attack the export centre is considered high-risk, as it could increase casualties on the US side and prolong the duration and cost of the war. “We might take Kharg Island, or we might not. We have many options. It also means we have to be there for some time,” Trump said. He even claimed that Iran’s defences on the island are weak. “I think they don’t have defences. We can take it very easily,” he said. In addition, the Houthi group in Yemen has launched ballistic missiles at Israel, triggering concerns of a new escalation that could worsen the global energy crisis. Amid the tough rhetoric, Trump emphasised that indirect talks between the US and Iran through Pakistani intermediaries are still progressing positively.