Media: Trump eyes Iran oil to gain trade edge over China

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of seizing control of Iran’s oil sector, viewing it as a potential tool to expand American global energy dominance and gain leverage in trade talks with China, The Business Times reports.

“If I had my choice, what would I like to do? Take the oil, because it’s there for the taking. There’s not a thing they can do about it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home. If it were up to me, I’d take the oil, I’d keep the oil. I would make plenty of money.”

Trump has already demonstrated his belief that controlling oil flows brings geopolitical power. The US ousted Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro and struck a deal with the remaining government to access the country’s crude reserves. According to sources, the focus on Iranian oil is partly driven by the president’s view that controlling Tehran’s energy exports could strengthen Washington’s negotiating position with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

US officials have discussed what they see as China’s reduced leverage following American operations in Venezuela and the Middle East. China, a major crude importer, has been affected by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, which has contributed to surging oil and gas prices.

Yet exerting long-term control over Iran’s energy infrastructure would be a massive undertaking, requiring substantial financial and military resources and raising legal and diplomatic questions. Polls indicate most Americans favor a swift end to the conflict, even as they face higher domestic fuel prices.

A White House official emphasized that while Trump favors the idea, there are no formal plans to seize Iranian oil, and it is not part of current negotiations to end hostilities. Beijing, meanwhile, has prepared for disruptions by building strategic reserves, expanding domestic energy production, and investing heavily in renewable power—giving it resilience to prolonged market shocks.

By Vafa Guliyeva