US could stay in Iran and keep oil: Trump hints at Venezuela move repeat

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States could remain in Iran and “keep the oil”, comparing the possibility to a US effort to gain control of a fifth of Venezuela’s huge oil reserves.During a trip to Ireland for meetings and to attend a golf event, Trump reiterated that he expected the war in Iran to conclude this year. He said it could potentially end shortly after the US midterm elections in November.Speaking at the Irish Open golf championship, Trump also said gasoline prices would “drop like a rock” once the war in Iran came to an end.Turmoil in the Middle East has roiled oil markets, with oil traders expecting prices to rise again on Monday after an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Trump said that he would only make the "right deal" and wouldn't do one that was "no good", adding that Iran was "calling constantly" for peace talks, an assertion that Tehran has dismissed in the past.But the president also introduced another option: stay engaged with Iran. He drew a parallel with the U.S. deal in Venezuela, announced in August. "We'll ultimately get out (of Iran), unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like Venezuela," Trump said, adding that the U.S. revenue from Venezuela has "paid for the war many times."- EndsWith inputs from ReutersPublished On: Sep 13, 2026 22:40 IST