Trump downplays report China entities helped Iran before attack that killed US troops

President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that the United States may remain in Iran after the ongoing war, and potentially assume control over the country's oil resources - a scenario reminiscent of Washington's post-Maduro involvement in Venezuela. While speaking at the Irish open golf championship during his Irish visit, Trump stated that the US would ultimately withdraw from Iran unless Tehran agreed to "keep the oil like Venezuela."

The President also anticipated the war concluding shortly after the midterms, possibly even before the US elections scheduled for November.

Trump indicated that Iran had been repeatedly contacting Washington in hopes of reaching a deal, but insisted that the US would only accept a mutually beneficial agreement. He emphasized the need to arrive at a "right deal" and warned against accepting an agreement that was not advantageous. His remarks came amidst the ongoing disruption of energy markets, with oil prices surpassing $100 per barrel, and US diesel prices hitting a record high of over $6.20 per gallon.

Trump's reference to Venezuela is rooted in the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on January 3. According to Reuters, the operation had been planned for months and included extensive rehearsals by US Special Forces, including the use of a mock-up of Maduro's secure residence. CIA personnel also supplied intelligence on Maduro's movements.

US forces apprehended Maduro and his wife in Caracas, subsequently transporting them to the United States to face criminal charges. This operation followed months of pressure exerted by the Trump administration. In response, Washington has increasingly sought to assume a leading role in Venezuela's oil sector, including controlling oil sales and pursuing arrangements that grant US interests access to the nation's substantial crude reserves.

Trump's comments now raise the possibility of implementing a comparable economic model in Iran. Such a model would not only underpin the prospect of a long-term US presence in the country but would also provide access to Iran's oil wealth.