In a recent interview, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed intentions to exert control over Iranian oil resources and hinted at the possibility of seizing the strategic Khark Island. Concurrently, he claimed that negotiations with Iran were progressing positively.
The remarks were made during an interview published on March 29 by the Financial Times and reiterated in comments to reporters aboard Air Force One shortly thereafter. Trump noted that negotiations with Iran were occurring both directly and indirectly, asserting that Tehran had partially opened the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route for approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supplies.
Details regarding the negotiations remain sparse, and Iranian officials have denied the claims made by Trump. Tehran has stated that it received a 15-point peace proposal from the U.S. but has not accepted it. Trump remarked, “We are doing extremely well in these negotiations. But you never know what happens with Iran, because we negotiate with them, and then we always have to blow it up… whether it’s with B-52 bombers or tearing up the landmark 2015 nuclear deal signed with world powers including the U.S., Russia, and China.”
Trump expressed confidence in reaching an agreement, stating, “I think we will make a deal. I’m fairly confident. But maybe we won’t.” He also claimed that the Iranian regime had been significantly weakened, stating, “They are all dead.” He characterized the behavior of current Iranian leaders as “very prudent” without elaborating further.
In the Financial Times interview, Trump indicated a preference for seizing Iranian oil, drawing parallels to Venezuela, where he suggested he intends to control the oil industry following the U.S. military’s actions against its leader Nicolás Maduro. He stated, “Honestly, I like the idea of taking the oil in Iran, but some stupid people in the U.S. say, ‘Why do that?’ But they are stupid people,” according to the Financial Times.
Regarding Khark Island, Trump stated, “Maybe we will take Khark Island, maybe we won’t. We have a lot of options.” He described the island as a hub for Iranian oil exports and suggested that any potential seizure would necessitate a prolonged U.S. presence there, asserting, “I don’t think they have any defense. We could take it very easily.”
Despite these assertions, Trump maintained that indirect negotiations facilitated through Pakistani intermediaries were progressing well. He set an April 6 deadline for Iran to accept a ceasefire agreement or face U.S. strikes on its power stations. A key demand from the U.S. administration is the restoration of operations in the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has largely blocked.
Iran has indicated it would allow vessels from “non-hostile” nations to transit the strait safely, which Trump described as progress. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar announced that Islamabad is preparing to host talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. He stated, “It would be an honor for Pakistan to host and facilitate meaningful discussions between the two sides in the coming days for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the ongoing conflict.”
It remains unclear whether the U.S. and Iran have agreed to participate in such a meeting. On February 28, the U.S. initiated a joint military operation with Israel against Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and strikes on military and nuclear facilities. In retaliation, Iran has targeted U.S. bases and allied infrastructure in the Gulf region.
Following the initiation of the operation, Iran effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, a vital route for oil shipments from Gulf oil-producing nations to global markets.
President Trump has outlined plans to control Iranian oil and hinted at a potential seizure of Khark Island while asserting that negotiations with Iran are progressing. Amid heightened tensions following military actions, the U.S. has set a deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire.