Trump Floats Keeping Iranian Oil Like Venezuela Amid Strait of Hormuz Talks Stall
US President Donald Trump has suggested that American forces could remain in Iran and 'keep the oil like Venezuela' as talks on regional shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz have been postponed. The comments came after Oman announced it was delaying a meeting with Iran and other Gulf states to discuss the strait, which has been blockaded since February.
The postponement comes as Brent crude prices rose above $107 a barrel on Monday, following attacks on two key waterways in the region. Saudi Arabia closed its East-West pipeline after drone damage, and a ship was struck near Qeshm island, killing one person.
Trump made his comments while attending the Irish Open golf championship, drawing a parallel with the August agreement between Washington and Caracas that gave the US majority control of Venezuela's oil reserves in exchange for $209 billion. He said that US revenue from this arrangement had 'paid for the war many times'.