Trump Seeks to Control Iran's Oil, Sending Global Oil Prices Soaring

NEW YORK, KOMPAS.com - US President Donald Trump has stated the possibility of taking Iran’s oil amid the ongoing escalating conflict in the Middle East, now entering its fifth week.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday (29/3/2026) local time, Trump said his preference is to control Iran’s oil, even mentioning the possibility of seizing Iran’s main oil export centre on Kharg Island.

“My favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people in the US say: ‘Why would you do that?’ But they are indeed stupid people,” Trump said, quoted from CNBC on Monday (30/3/2026).

“Maybe we will seize Kharg Island, maybe not. We have many options,” he stated.

Trump also acknowledged that such a move could potentially require the US to maintain a presence in the area for a long time.

According to a Reuters report, the US government has considered sending ground troops to Kharg Island, although sources familiar with the plan warned that such an operation would be “extremely risky”, given Iran’s capability to attack the island with missiles and drones.

Trump’s statement comes amid the escalation of conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran that is spreading across the region, increasing risks to global energy infrastructure.

Global oil prices have consequently surged. Brent futures for May rose more than 3.2 percent to $116.12 per barrel in early Asian trading, with potential for the highest monthly gain in several years.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude strengthened 3.4 percent to $102.96 per barrel.

Around 3,500 troops were reported to have arrived in the region on Friday, plus thousands of soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division ordered to support military operations.

Trump previously stated that Iranian negotiators were “begging” for a deal to end the war, although that claim was denied by Tehran, which said there has been no direct interaction with the US.