President Donald Trump has suggested the United States could end up in control of Iranian oil, comparing the possibility to how Washington has handled its energy dealings with Venezuela. His remarks were carried by the Russian state news agency TASS.
Trump made the comment while speaking with reporters at his golf club in Ireland. The resort, known as Trump International Golf Links and Hotel, is located in Doonbeg, a village on the west coast of County Clare.
He said the United States would ultimately leave Iran unless it chose to stay and keep the oil for itself, in the same way it has in Venezuela. He added that the decision would be up to the countries involved and that they could end up happy with the outcome, according to TASS.
Venezuela as a model
Trump has previously said that an energy deal with Venezuela gave the United States access to oil reserves large enough to last 500 years. He made the claim while speaking in Dallas, Texas, at the Republican Party's national convention, held ahead of November's midterm elections to the US Congress.
Speaking at the Dallas convention, Trump said he had built an excellent relationship with the government in Caracas, Venezuela's capital.
Iran's oil reserves
Iran is a founding member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and holds some of the world's largest proven oil and natural gas reserves. Its oil exports have long been restricted by US sanctions linked to Tehran's nuclear program, and they remain one of the biggest sources of foreign revenue for the Iranian economy.
Trump has pursued a hardline stance toward Iran throughout his political career, including reimposing sanctions on the country's oil sector after withdrawing the United States from the 2015 nuclear deal during his first term.
Venezuela also holds vast oil reserves and has been the subject of a separate US energy arrangement that Trump has repeatedly cited as a success.
The Republican National Convention gathering that Trump referenced comes ahead of the November midterm elections, when control of both chambers of the US Congress will be at stake.
