Trump suggests US could keep Iranian oil as regional Salalah summit is postponed

Oil remarks at Doonbeg

Speaking to reporters at his golf resort in Doonbeg on Ireland's west coast during the Irish Open tournament, US President Donald Trump stated that American forces could remain in Iran to secure oil reserves after the conflict concludes. Trump drew direct parallels to US policy in Venezuela, suggesting that controlling Iranian energy resources could offset the military costs of the war. On Saturday, Trump had projected that the regional hostilities, which began in February, would conclude following the US midterm elections scheduled for 3 November. He asserted that revenue generated from oil operations in Venezuela had already covered past intervention costs, presenting a similar framework for post-war Iran.

“Eventually, we will leave, unless we decide to stay and keep the oil, like in Venezuela. Nobody talks about Venezuela anymore, do they? We got thousands and thousands and billions of dollars. We paid for the war many times over.”

Postponement of the Salalah summit

Trump addressed the situation after being asked about a scheduled regional summit in Salalah, a city in southern Oman. The diplomatic meeting had been organized to convene representatives from Iran, Iraq, and the six Gulf Cooperation Council member states, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al Busaidi announced on Sunday that the gathering had been suspended to build regional consensus, adding that Muscat remains committed to dialogue supporting long-term stability in the Middle East. Qatari officials confirmed the delay, noting that more time was needed to establish conditions for sustainable agreements. Mohamad Ali Bek, director of Persian Gulf affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry, stated that the postponement was decided jointly by Oman and Iran following requests from regional governments.

“I do not care. That is up to them. That is fine. As long as Israel, along with the nations we are talking about, are happy. That is fine.”

Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic terms

The planned negotiations in Oman focused on maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a shipping corridor that handled one-fifth of global crude oil shipments prior to the start of the conflict in February. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated on Sunday that an agreement concluded with Oman, originally scheduled for formal announcement on Monday, will not lead to the waterway's reopening on its own. Araqchi specified that passage will remain closed until the United States reaffirms the commitments it made in a bilateral peace memorandum of understanding signed in June. Qatari diplomats reiterated that regional talks must address lasting security arrangements before normal trade flows can resume across the waterway.

Venezuelan parallel and election timing

Trump linked his strategy for Iran directly to Washington's ongoing operations in Venezuela, where the US has supported interim president Delcy Rodriguez following the capture of Nicolas Maduro in January. When asked about holding democratic elections in Venezuela, Trump responded that a vote would take place only when authorities determine the country is ready. He claimed that large international energy firms had returned to Venezuelan oil fields, generating substantial revenue and creating thousands of jobs. Trump argued that this economic recovery model justified maintaining commercial control over energy infrastructure in conflict zones.