Trump Floats Long-Term Occupation of Iranian Oil Reserves

US President Donald Trump said that his country may continue its campaign against Iran and take control of its oil, comparing it to the deal Washington struck with Venezuela earlier this year. He stated that the US could keep Iranian oil 'like Venezuela' if necessary, implying a potential long-term occupation.

The US had reached an agreement with Venezuela in August, granting Washington access to over 65 billion barrels of oil reserves - more than double America's own reserves - in exchange for $209 billion to Venezuela's state treasury. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the deal would also bring close to $100 billion in private investment to reinvigorate its economy.

Trump expects the seven-month Iran war to end this year, possibly after the November midterm elections, and claimed that gasoline prices would 'drop like a rock' once it does. He stated that he would only make the 'right deal', adding that Tehran has been 'calling constantly' for peace talks - a claim that Iran has previously dismissed.