Trump says U.S. could remain in Iran to retain oil revenues
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President Trump suggested the United States might stay involved in Iran to keep oil profits, while noting the conflict has raised gasoline prices and referencing a potential deal with Tehran.
President Donald Trump told reporters at a golf course in Ireland on Sept. 13 that the United States could "stay in Iran" and retain oil revenues, comparing the situation to the country’s involvement in Venezuela. He said the United States would eventually withdraw unless it chose to remain for the oil benefits, adding that U.S. revenue from Venezuela has "paid for the war many times."
Trump did not provide details on any specific oil agreement with Iran. In August, the administration announced a partnership that gave the United States majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of Venezuela’s proven oil reserves, a deal welcomed by interim Venezuelan leader Delcy Rodriguez as a boost to the economy.
The president reiterated his stance that the conflict with Iran is necessary to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons, saying, > "We salute our first responders and law enforcement, and we love them, and we salute the service members working right now to ensure the world’s number one sponsor of terror – the Islamic Republic of Iran – will never ever have a nuclear weapon."
He also suggested the war would end after the upcoming midterm elections and predicted gasoline prices would fall sharply, stating, > "Gasoline's going to drop like a rock."
A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found only about 25 % of Americans consider the war in Iran worthwhile, reflecting growing public criticism as the conflict has contributed to higher fuel costs. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has further pressured global gasoline prices, with the national average reaching $4.31 per gallon on Sept. 13, according to AAA.
Iranian officials have denied that negotiations of the type described by Trump are taking place. During the same trip, Trump defended artificial-intelligence development after an industry leader called for increased precautions.