Donald Trump threatens to 'take the oil' in Iran

US President Donald Trump said his country could "take the oil in Iran" as thousands of American troops mobilise to the Middle East.

Speaking with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump also suggested the US could seize the Iranian export hub of Kharg Island.

"To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: 'why are you doing that?' But they're stupid people," he told the newspaper.

He compared the proposal to Venezuela, where the US abducted President Nicolas Maduro and aimed to "indefinitely" seize control of the oil industry.

"Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options," Trump said.

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