Trump: We may decide to keep Iranian oil for ourselves, as we did in Venezuela - Sarmad

US President Donald Trump stated that the United States might move to take control of Iranian oil, similar to its actions in Venezuela, if it decides to remain in the region.

Trump made these remarks while speaking with journalists at his golf club in Ireland, saying, “We will eventually leave, unless we decide to stay and keep the oil for ourselves, as we did in Venezuela.”

Trump declined to comment directly on the upcoming meeting between Gulf representatives, which Iran is set to attend, adding only, “That’s their business, and they can be happy.”

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian affirmed that Iran would not surrender, noting that if the United States seeks a military confrontation, it should face Iranian forces rather than target civilian infrastructure.

This comes amid an expanding naval standoff between the United States and Iran, with navigation and energy supplies increasingly drawn into the escalation, marked by strikes and targeting of oil tankers and ships in the Gulf and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran and Gulf states are preparing to hold a meeting tomorrow, Monday, in the Sultanate of Oman to discuss navigation security in the Strait of Hormuz, amid diplomatic efforts to contain regional tensions.

The meeting takes place amid disagreements over navigation arrangements and fees imposed on transiting ships. An Iranian official told Reuters that the meeting would not conclude with a final agreement, but would instead establish a framework for discussing regional issues and the strategic waterway.