Trump says 'too soon' to seize Iran's oil but won't rule it out as crude hits $100

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said on Monday, March 9, that it was “too soon” to discuss the possibility of the United States taking control of Iranian oil resources as fighting continued between Iran and a US–Israeli coalition.

Speaking in a phone interview with NBC News, Trump declined to confirm whether such a step was under consideration but acknowledged that the idea had been raised.

The remarks came as oil markets reacted to the ongoing conflict, with global prices rising above $100 per barrel.

Iran is one of the world’s major oil producers, and any move affecting its exports could have broader geopolitical and economic implications.

Trump says talk of seizing Iranian oil premature

During the interview, Trump was asked whether he would support the United States seizing Iranian oil reserves as part of the broader war effort aimed at weakening Tehran’s military capabilities. 

Trump declined to directly answer the question but acknowledged that the concept had been considered.

“Certainly people have talked about it,” he said. He added that the issue was not something he was prepared to discuss at this stage of the conflict.

“You look at Venezuela,” Trump said. “People have thought about it, but it’s too soon to talk about that.”

Trump referenced the situation in Venezuela, where US forces conducted a raid earlier this year that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. 

Following that operation, the administration said it had taken steps to secure access to the country’s oil resources.

In a recent 'State of the Union' address, Trump stated that the United States had already obtained more than 80 million barrels of oil from Venezuela. 

Analysts note that any attempt to take control of Iranian oil production or exports could have significant geopolitical consequences.

Iran currently ranks among the world’s top oil producers and accounts for roughly 5% of global output.

Much of Iran’s oil exports are shipped to China, which purchases about 80% of Tehran’s crude exports.

Any move affecting those shipments could complicate relations between Washington and Beijing, already one of the United States’ main geopolitical rivals. 

Trump comments on new Iranian leadership and Dover military ceremony

Trump also commented on Iran’s recent leadership change following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an airstrike at the start of the war. 

Iranian clerics later selected Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba Khamenei, as the country’s new supreme leader.

Trump criticized the decision, saying, “I think they made a big mistake. I don’t know if it’s going to last.”

The president also spoke about attending a “dignified transfer” ceremony over the weekend at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. During the event, the remains of six US service members killed in the Iran conflict were returned to the United States.

Trump said he had met privately with the families of the fallen troops. “They are great people,” he said. Reflecting on the ceremony, he added, “It’s always tough.”