Trump says with more time, US can ‘take the oil’ in Iran

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Trump says US could “take the oil” in Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Remarks raise legal concerns and signal escalation as blockade continues.

US President Donald Trump said the United States could seize Iran’s oil resources and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a sharp escalation in rhetoric as the war enters its sixth week.

“With a little more time, we can easily open the Hormuz Strait, take the oil, and make a fortune,” Trump wrote on social media Friday.

Hormuz Blockade Persists

Iran has maintained a blockade of the strategic waterway since early in the war, disrupting global energy supplies and driving up oil prices. Trump has repeatedly pledged to reopen the strait, including proposals to deploy US naval escorts for oil tankers.

However, the US military has indicated it is not prepared to escort vessels through the narrow passage, citing risks from Iranian drones and missile attacks.

Legal and Strategic Concerns

Trump’s suggestion of “taking” Iran’s oil has drawn scrutiny under international law, which recognizes national sovereignty over natural resources. A 1962 United Nations resolution affirms that countries retain control over their oil and minerals.

The remarks also reflect a broader pattern in Trump’s rhetoric, as he has previously advocated for controlling oil resources in conflict zones, including Iraq and Venezuela.

War Enters Sixth Week

Despite US claims of weakening Iran’s military, Tehran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz and launch missiles and drones toward 'Israel' and other targets in the region.

Trump has also threatened strikes on civilian infrastructure, including bridges, power stations, and desalination facilities, prompting warnings from legal experts that such actions could violate international law.

As the war approaches its sixth week, uncertainty remains over Washington’s strategy, with Trump suggesting that extending the conflict could make seizing Iran’s oil feasible, even as domestic pressure grows to end the war.