Trump Threatens to Seize Iranian Oil as Conflict Escalates

The United States and Iran are engaged in a seven-month military conflict that has triggered the largest oil-supply disruption in history. Donald Trump has proposed that the U.S. could either end the conflict or remain in Iran to seize oil infrastructure, specifically targeting Kharg Island, which handles 90% of Iranian crude exports. He compared this potential strategy to U.S. actions in Venezuela.

Hostilities have escalated through mutual strikes on tankers and military bases. On September 9, Iran launched 20 ballistic missiles at the Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, damaging several U.S. aircraft. In retaliation, the U.S. military has sunk three Iranian tankers, while Iran has struck 23 ships since July. These actions caused a 50-million-gallon oil spill off the coast of Oman. In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the port of Mocha, threatening the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Domestically, the administration has faced criticism for avoiding a formal declaration of war to bypass Congressional approval, with Trump and Vice President JD Vance labeling the situation a military operation. This semantic distinction has reportedly denied wartime benefits to families of fallen service members. Critics also point to high civilian costs, including a March strike on an elementary school that killed 150 people. Economically, the conflict has pushed oil prices over $100 a barrel and cost Americans an estimated $100 billion in extra energy expenses. Despite these costs, Trump predicts the conflict will end immediately after the November midterm elections.