Trump suggests US may stay in Iran to control oil, likens to Venezuela

US President Donald Trump said today that the United States may remain in Iran and "keep the oil," drawing a parallel to American efforts to control a fifth of Venezuela's vast oil reserves.

Speaking during a visit to Ireland for meetings and watching golf, Trump said he expects the war with Iran to end this year, possibly after the US midterm elections scheduled for November.

At the Irish Open golf tournament, Trump also stated that gasoline prices "will drop sharply" once the conflict with Iran ends.

According to Reuters, Trump added that he would only agree to the "right" deal and would not accept a "bad" one, claiming that Iran "constantly calls" to seek peace talks, a claim Tehran has previously denied.

Trump also raised the possibility of continued engagement with Iran, likening it to the US agreement in Venezuela announced last August.

He emphasized that ultimately the US would withdraw from Iran, "unless we decide to stay and keep the oil like in Venezuela," noting that American revenues from Venezuela "have paid for the war many times over."