US President Donald Trump said on Monday (local time) that if it were up to him, he would prefer to use military force to take control of Iran’s vast oil reserves, the AP reported.
However, he admitted that there is not much appetite among American voters for such a step. “Take the oil because it’s there for the taking,” Trump said. He added: “There’s nothing they can do about it. Unfortunately, the American people would like to see us come home. If it were up to me, I’d take the oil. I’d keep the oil. I’d make a lot of money.”
Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters at the White House Easter Egg Roll, where he was responding to a question about MAGA’s support for the war.
The US president goes on to say that he would take care of the Iranians “much better” compared to how they are taken care of now.
MAGA Supports Iran War: Trump
Trump told reporters that MAGA “loves what it does,” adding that while it has support, Republicans would still like to see an end to the war. He said, “But remember the wars last year, we’ve been there 34 days and we’ve wiped out a very powerful country. If it was up to me, I’d like to keep the oil. But I just don’t think people in the United States understand that.”
The conflict in the Middle East is escalating
His remarks come as the conflict in the Middle East has now entered its sixth week and tensions have only continued to escalate. On April 5, Trump issued an absolute ultimatum to Iran, asking it to reopen the Strait of Hormuz immediately. The Strait of Hormuz was closed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) days after the US and Israel went to war in late February. Although it is a narrow waterway, Hormuz is responsible for the transportation of roughly 20 million barrels of oil per day.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day and Bridge Day all rolled into one in Iran. Nothing like that!!! Open the F***n’ Strait you crazy b****rds or live in hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
Following his Easter threat, Trump said on Monday that 8pm ET (5:30am IST, next day) on Tuesday was the deadline for Tehran.
Iran rejects second ceasefire proposal
Earlier today, Tehran rejected a second cease-fire proposal from the US, calling it “illogical”. The Islamic Republic had earlier rejected a 15-point ceasefire proposal put forward by Washington, just days after Trump announced a five-day pause in fighting following what he said were “productive” talks with the Islamic Republic’s leaders.
Tehran denied talks with Washington, but later said a ceasefire could only be reached under the Islamic Republic’s terms and timeline. Tehran rejected the US proposal for a cease-fire and imposed five conditions in addition to the demands it made during the second round of talks in late February, before the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
