US President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that the United States could remain in Iran after the war and take control of its oil resources, drawing a comparison with Washington's post-Maduro role in Venezuela.
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Speaking at the Irish open golf championship during his visit to Ireland, Trump said the US would ultimately leave Iran unless it decided to stay and "keep the oil like Venezuela". He also said he expected the war to end "right after the midterms, maybe before", referring to the US elections in November.
Trump said Iran was "calling constantly" to seek a deal, but insisted Washington would accept only an agreement that met its demands. "We have to make the right deal," he said, adding that he would not accept a deal that was "not a good deal".
His comments came as the conflict continued to disrupt energy markets. Oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel, while US diesel prices hit a record above $6.20 a gallon. Trump said that once the war ends, US gasoline prices would "drop like a rock".
Trump's reference to Venezuela follows the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. Reuters reported that the operation was planned for months and involved extensive rehearsals by US Special Forces, including using a mock-up of Maduro's safe house. CIA personnel also provided intelligence on his movements.
US forces captured Maduro and his wife in Caracas before taking him to the United States to face criminal charges. The operation followed months of pressure by the Trump administration.
Washington subsequently moved to take a major role in Venezuela's oil sector, including controlling oil sales and pursuing arrangements giving US interests access to the country's vast crude reserves.
Trump's remarks now raise the prospect of applying a similar economic model to Iran, linking a possible long-term US presence there not only to security objectives but also to access to its oil wealth.
