Trump says U.S. could remain in Iran and retain oil revenues, likening it to Venezuela deal

President Donald Trump, speaking at the Irish Open golf championship during a recent visit to Ireland, said the United States could remain in Iran and “keep the oil,” drawing a parallel with Washington’s approach to Venezuela’s oil reserves. He suggested that the United States might choose to stay in Iran in a manner similar to the arrangement made with Venezuela, where the U.S. secured a large share of the country’s oil output.

The Venezuela agreement, reached in August, gave the United States majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of oil—more than twice the size of America’s own reserves—in exchange for a $209 billion payment to Venezuela’s state treasury. The deal also promised close to $100 billion in private investment to revitalize the Venezuelan economy.

Trump added that he expects the seven‑month conflict with Iran to conclude this year, possibly after the U.S. midterm elections in November, and said gasoline prices would “drop like a rock” once the war ends. He emphasized that any resolution would involve “the right deal” and noted that Tehran has been “calling constantly” for peace talks, a claim Iran has previously dismissed.

No direct negotiations between the United States and Iran are currently underway. Iranian officials have reiterated that they are open to dialogue, while the United States has not confirmed any bilateral talks on the issue.

Separately, an Iranian cargo vessel was struck off Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, resulting in one death and four injuries. Iranian state media attributed the attack to a “terrorist enemy,” and the incident occurred amid heightened tensions in the strategic waterway.

A planned meeting in Oman between Iran and Gulf Cooperation Council states to discuss a possible Iran‑Oman shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz was postponed. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the delay was intended to achieve broader consensus. The talks had been scheduled for Monday, and the postponement comes as the Strait of Hormuz remains subject to a naval blockade that has been in place since the conflict began.