‘Fossil-fuel imperialism’: Trump’s hankering for Iranian oil runs deep

The Guardian US News
by Dharna Noor
April 1, 2026
3 min read

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President Trump said he wants to seize Iranian oil resources, a position experts characterize as reflecting belief in taking resources regardless of international law.

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President Trump said this past weekend he wants to "take the oil in Iran" by seizing control of a key export hub, continuing a position he has advocated for over a decade. Experts characterize the statement as reflecting a belief in "fossil-fuel imperialism" — the view that the US is entitled to resources it desires regardless of international law. Trump's longstanding interest in Iranian oil resources underscores his administration's approach to securing energy supplies through direct control rather than diplomatic channels. The comment raises questions about how the White House intends to pursue this objective and whether it signals a broader shift in US policy toward territorial resource acquisition.

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