According to a report by Reuters on Sunday, September 13, 2026, US President Donald Trump has suggested that the United States could maintain a presence in Iran after the ongoing war and potentially retain access to the country’s oil, drawing a comparison with Washington’s recent energy arrangement involving Venezuela.
Trump made the comments on Sunday during his visit to Ireland, where he attended the Irish Open golf championship. He said the United States would eventually leave Iran unless Washington decided to remain involved and secure oil revenues, similar to the arrangement his administration has pursued in Venezuela.
“We’ll ultimately get out (of Iran), unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela,” Trump said, adding that revenue generated from Venezuela had already “paid for the war many times.”
The remarks come as the conflict between Washington and Tehran continues to put pressure on global energy markets and shipping routes. Trump also reiterated his expectation that the war could end later this year, potentially around or shortly after the US midterm elections in November.
Earlier this week, Trump said he expected the conflict to end immediately after the midterm elections, arguing that Iran would eventually be unable to withstand the economic pressure being applied by the United States. However, fighting and attacks on energy infrastructure have continued, with no clear indication that a lasting settlement is imminent.
Trump said he wanted the United States to reach the “right deal” with Iran and would reject an agreement that he considered unfavorable. He also claimed that Tehran had been repeatedly seeking peace talks, although Iranian officials have previously rejected similar claims from Washington.
Trump’s latest comments come at a particularly sensitive time for global energy markets.
Oil prices have climbed above $100 a barrel following a series of attacks on tankers and critical energy infrastructure across the Middle East. Reuters reported that Brent crude reached $107.63 a barrel on Thursday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude climbed to $102.48. The surge followed attacks on commercial shipping and further disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.
The situation worsened over the weekend after a major Saudi oil pipeline was hit by drone attacks and temporarily shut down. The East-West pipeline, which can transport roughly 4 million barrels of oil per day, provides Saudi Arabia with an alternative route for exporting crude without relying entirely on the Strait of Hormuz.
Reuters reported that a prolonged shutdown could threaten supplies equivalent to about 4% of global oil production, further intensifying concerns about shortages and higher energy prices.
The developments have also complicated Washington’s efforts to contain the economic consequences of the Iran war. The White House is reportedly considering using the Defense Production Act to expand US oil refining capacity as gasoline and diesel prices remain elevated. US refineries are already operating at close to 98% capacity, limiting how quickly domestic production can be increased.
Trump’s reference to Venezuela is linked to a major US energy agreement announced in August involving the South American country’s enormous oil reserves. The administration has sought greater US control and influence over Venezuelan oil production and revenues.
Trump has argued that revenue generated from Venezuela’s oil could help offset the cost of US involvement there. He now appears to be suggesting that a similar arrangement could theoretically be considered in Iran.
However, Trump’s comments do not represent a confirmed agreement with Tehran or an established US policy to seize Iranian oil. They instead highlight one of the possible approaches the president says Washington could pursue if the conflict continues.
Iran possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, making control or access to its energy resources strategically significant. Any attempt by the United States to remain in Iran for the purpose of controlling oil would likely generate significant international opposition and could further complicate efforts to end the war.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues to threaten major global shipping corridors. Iran has disrupted shipping around the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran-aligned Houthi forces have expanded their presence around Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Reuters reported that the Houthis recently seized Mocha and advanced toward strategic islands near the shipping route.
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