Former President Donald Trump has suggested establishing a U.S. presence in Iran after current hostilities end to secure oil reserves. This approach would follow a similar model to a current American partnership in Venezuela aimed at lowering fuel prices.

Advertisement

The 20% Venezuelan output deal as a blueprint

Donald Trump is eyeing a strategy for Iran that mirrors the United States' current involvement in Venezuela. According to the report, the Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital has already collaborated with North American Blue Energy Partners, a private firm,to secure up to twenty percent of Venezuela's oil output. This arrangement was designed to stabilize domestic gas prices and replenish the depleted strategic oil reserves of the United States.

By replicating this model in Iran , Donald Trump believes the U.S. can use oil production as a lever to strengthen national energy interests. While the Venezuelan venture has provided an influx of funds, the report notes that this optimism has not yet evolved into a formal, documented commitment for future engagement with Iran.

Diesel at $6.23 and the Strait of Hormuz bottleneck

The drive toward Iranian oil is fueled by severe domestic economic pressure and global maritime instability. As reported, the average cost of a gallon of diesel fuel in the U.S. has hit an unprecedented $6 .23, with gasoline prices remaining a primary concern for citizens according to the American Automobile Association.

These price spikes are exacerbated by restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint that handles roughly twenty percent of the world's crude oil. Additionally, Houthi rebel forces have intensified attacks on maritime routes like the Bab al-Mandeb strait, creating a volatile environment that Donald Trump argues can only be solved by securing direct access to Iranian reserves once the war concludes.

November midterms and the failed six-week war timeline

The political timing of this energy strategy is closely tied to the U.S. electoral calendar. Donald Trump indicated that the resolution of the conflict might align with the November midterm elections, suggesting a motivation to lower energy costs before voters head to the polls to decide the next congressional agenda.

However, the reality on the ground has diverged from early projections. The report highlights that the war has already surpassed the initial six-week timeline set by Donald Trump . This delay increases the pressure on the administration to produce a concrete roadmap for energy stability, especially as inflation and unemployment remain central themes in public discourse, as evidenced by a recent poll from The Economist.

The logistical gap between Sa'ada and Iranian oil fields

Despite the ambition, significant questions remain regarding how the U.S. would actually extract and transport oil from a nation governed by leadership hostile to American interests. While there are reports of U.S. forces planning a humanitarian convoy in Sa'ada, Yemen—which could serve as a tactical foothold in the Persian Gulf—this is a far cry from the infrastructure needed for large-scale oil production.

Critics argue that the Venezuela model is not easily transferable because Venezuela provided a more cooperative environment. To secure Iranian fields,the U.S. would likely require a permanent and costly military footprint to protect infrastructure, a requirement that the source suggests could potentially outweigh the financial benefits of the oil itself.