Trump Floats Iran Presence to Secure Oil Access: Parallels Drawn with Venezuela

US President Donald Trump suggested that maintaining a US presence in Iran could provide access to the country's oil reserves. He drew parallels between this approach and the recent agreement with Venezuela, where the US secured control over approximately 20% of the country's oil reserves by August 2026.

The deal reportedly financially offset war-related expenses 'multiple times over.' Trump implied that a similar arrangement could be made in Iran to secure access to its oil infrastructure. The US currently has significant interests in the Middle East, particularly with regards to energy production and trade.

Trump also mentioned Kharg Island, which handles approximately 90% of Iran's crude exports, making it one of the most strategically significant energy chokepoints globally.

The President further stated that fighting could wrap up by the end of 2026, potentially after the US midterm elections. He also predicted that gasoline prices would 'drop like a rock' once hostilities end.