United States President Donald Trump has ignited global outrage after openly declaring his desire to take Iran’s oil, as tensions explode between Washington, Tehran, and Israel.
In a statement, Trump suggested that seizing Iran’s vast oil resources could be a preferred strategy amid the escalating conflict.
“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,” Trump said.
The US leader also revealed that his administration is weighing the possibility of taking control of Kharg Island, Iran’s major oil export terminal responsible for about 90 percent of the country’s crude shipments.
“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump added.
“It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.”
Iran, a key member of OPEC, holds one of the world’s largest oil reserves and controls the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a global chokepoint through which nearly 20 percent of the world’s oil supply flows.
But the ongoing war has tightened Iran’s grip on the waterway, with a de facto blockade drastically cutting shipping traffic and raising fears of a global oil shock.
As tensions spiral, Trump’s explosive remarks are expected to further inflame the already volatile situation, with analysts warning of far-reaching consequences for global energy markets and security.
