US Lacks Support for Iran Oil Plans
- President Donald Trump has stated that he lacks sufficient domestic support for his ambitions to seize oil assets in Iran.
- The comments come amid an ongoing war in Iran that began at the end of February 2026.
- To achieve the goal of securing Iranian oil, analysts suggest the U.S.
U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he lacks sufficient domestic support for his ambitions to seize oil assets in Iran. Speaking during an Easter event on the White House grounds on April 6, 2026, Trump indicated that while he believes the United States should take and profit from Iranian oil, the American public prefers that U.S. Forces return home.
The comments come amid an ongoing war in Iran that began at the end of February 2026. Throughout the conflict, President Trump has repeatedly suggested that the United States could take over Iranian oil resources, framing the move as a business opportunity and a reward for the victor of the conflict.
Strategic Objectives and Military Requirements
To achieve the goal of securing Iranian oil, analysts suggest the U.S. Military would likely need to seize the Iranian island of Kharg in the Persian Gulf. This location is critical to Iran’s economy, as it accounts for approximately 90 percent of the country’s oil exports.
In a White House press briefing, President Trump justified the concept of seizing assets by referencing the “spoils of war.” He compared the potential action to U.S. Dealings in Venezuela, stating that the U.S. Has taken hundreds of millions of barrels of oil there.
President Donald Trump
If I had my choice. Yeah, cause I’m a businessman first. We are a partner with Venezuela and we’ve taken hundreds of millions of barrels
Trump further argued that the United States has moved away from the tradition of the victor taking the spoils, noting that the U.S. Helped rebuild countries after the Second World War rather than seizing assets.
International Relations and Alliances
The conflict has created friction between the United States and several of its global allies. During the White House news conference, President Trump criticized Japan, Australia, South Korea, and NATO for failing to provide support to Washington in the war with Iran.
Trump highlighted the U.S. Military presence in East Asia as a point of contention, noting that there are 50,000 soldiers in Japan and 45,000 soldiers in South Korea to protect those nations from North Korea and Kim Jong Un.
Conversely, the U.S. President commended several Persian Gulf nations for their assistance during the conflict. Those praised for being excellent
included:
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Bahrain
- Kuwait
Economic Pressures and Sanctions
The geopolitical tension has had significant effects on global energy markets. On March 21, 2026, the United States lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil in an effort to contain the impact of the war on soaring energy prices.
Despite these economic maneuvers, tensions remain high. President Trump has suggested that Iran could be taken out
in a single night, hinting that such an escalation could have occurred as early as Tuesday, April 7, 2026.
The Iranian army has dismissed the rhetoric coming from the White House, describing President Trump’s statements as rude, arrogant rhetoric
.