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.
Brent crude rose above $116 a barrel on Monday morning in Asia, close to its highest level since the US-Israeli war on Iran began. The fresh jump comes as Iranian officials said that the country was preparing for a ground invasion by the US.
The Pentagon has ordered the deployment of 10,000 troops to the region, trained to seize and hold land. About 3,500 troops arrived in the region on Friday, including roughly 2,200 marines, while another 2,200 marines are en route.
Thousands of troops from the 82nd Airborne Division have also been ordered to the region, according to the FT.
The administration has also discussed raids into coastal areas near the Strait of Hormuz to find and destroy weapons targeting international shipping.
Iran has effectively closed the waterway, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, since the US and Israel began their war a month ago.
US officials have studied using Iranian islands near the Strait of Hormuz as potential sites for operations.
Trump said Iran has agreed to "most of" a 15-point list of US demands aimed at ending the war, adding that negotiations were making significant progress.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said, "They gave us most of the points. Why wouldn't they?" and described ongoing talks, both direct and indirect through intermediaries, as "very good".
Trump also claimed Iran had offered oil shipments as a gesture to demonstrate seriousness, saying "they gave us 20 boatloads of oil that starts being shipped tomorrow".
He said the proposal includes additional conditions still under discussion.
The demands reportedly include limits on Iran’s defence capabilities, ending support for proxy groups and recognising Israel.
This article was sourced from Middle East Eye.
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