finance
Trump Considers Seizing Iranian Oil and Charging Tolls on Strait of Hormuz Amid Negotiations
US President Donald Trump is evaluating options to seize Iran's oil fields to enhance US energy dominance and counter China's influence. He has set a Tuesday 8 PM ET deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with potential delays if a deal emerges. Negotiators express pessimism, raising prospects of US strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
Apr 7, 7:58 AM·1m read8 sources
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US President Donald Trump is considering seizing Iran's oil to boost American energy dominance and gain leverage over China. This proposal includes charging tolls for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The moves come amid ongoing US-Iran negotiations via regional intermediaries, with a deadline set for Tuesday at 8 PM ET.
Trump stated that free traffic of oil through the Strait is a key part of any deal. He referenced the phrase 'to the victor go the spoils' in connection with Venezuelan and Iranian oil. Bloomberg reported that the seizure idea aims to strengthen US global position, though Trump acknowledged potential challenges.
Axios reported that Trump might delay the Tuesday deadline if negotiators see a deal coming together.
This would mark the fifth such delay. A defense official expressed skepticism about reaching an agreement. The Wall Street Journal indicated that negotiators are pessimistic Iran will meet Trump's demand to reopen the Strait before the deadline.
Failure to comply could lead to US targeting of Iranian bridges and power plants. Sentdefender cited officials who said strikes on civilian infrastructure might be held off only if progress is evident. >"Part of the deal is we want free traffic of oil" via the Strait of Hormuz.
The considerations follow heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments.
Trump has issued multiple ultimatums, with this being the latest. WatcherGuru noted Trump's interest in tolls as a revenue mechanism for passage through the strait. DeItaone described the oil seizure as a bold power play, potentially allowing the US to profit directly.
Unusual_whales confirmed the energy dominance goal per Bloomberg. KobeissiLetter highlighted the repeated delays in Trump's approach to Iran. No sources reported an agreement or final decision on these measures as of the latest updates.
