United States President Donald Trump has said the US could move to seize Iran’s oil resources, including the key export terminal at Kharg Island, as tensions between the US, Iran and Israel continue to escalate.

In an interview with the Financial Times on Sunday, Trump compared the possible move to Washington’s stance in Venezuela, where he claimed the US planned to maintain long-term control of the oil sector. Trump suggested that Kharg Island, which handles most of Iran’s oil exports, could also be targeted.

“To be honest with you, my favourite thing is to take the oil in Iran, but some stupid people back in the US say: ‘why are you doing that?’ But they’re stupid people.”

“Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t. We have a lot of options,” Trump told the FT. “It would also mean we had to be there [in Kharg Island] for a while.”

“I don’t think they have any defence. We could take it very easily,” Trump said dismissing Iran defence capabilities.

Trump’s remarks come amid growing fears that the regional conflict could disrupt global energy supplies. Oil prices have already surged sharply, with Brent crude climbing above $116 per barrel as investors react to the escalating crisis. Reports also indicate that the Pentagon has reinforced its military presence in the region, deploying thousands of troops, including personnel from the 82nd Airborne Division and additional marines, as Washington weighs further options in the Middle East.

Despite the troop build-up, Trump admitted that striking Iran’s oil infrastructure could lead to more American casualties and drag the US into a longer conflict. He also disclosed that indirect talks with Iran were continuing through intermediaries, including Pakistani envoys, while warning that Tehran had until April 6 to agree to terms or face further US strikes on its energy facilities.