President Donald Trump has said the United States would probably help rebuild Iran’s shattered infrastructure after months of fighting, but only if America gets half of Iran’s oil in return.
In an interview with ABC News on Tuesday, June 9, Trump laid out what appears to be a business-style view of what could come next in the Middle East.
The Iran-U.S. conflict has dragged on for more than 100 days, resulting in heavy damage to missile factories, oil facilities, and other key sites across Iran.
Trump Links Iran Reconstruction to Oil Compensation
“Somebody’s going to have to build all that infrastructure, new bridges, new this, new that, new power plants,” Trump said. “They’re talking about a trillion dollars, probably more. And that’s why we’ll probably get involved in rebuilding.”
When asked if it would be like the Marshall Plan that rebuilt Europe after World War II, Trump replied, “Yeah.” Then he added his condition: “But we’ll get half their oil.”
The comment reflects Trump’s long-standing habit of treating foreign policy like a real estate deal, in which the U.S. gets something concrete in exchange for its involvement.
The fighting between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has left wide stretches of Iranian territory in ruins. The U.S. and Israeli strikes hit airports, energy sites, and military targets.
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Iran fired back with missiles that reached into Israel and the Gulf states, where it targeted U.S. military assets and U.S. allies.
The violence disrupted oil shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, sending global energy prices higher and killing thousands.
A ceasefire was later put in place after Iran and the U.S. started diplomatic talks. Amid the fragile ceasefire, which has been extended several times, President Trump has kept issuing tough warnings to Iran, including threats to strike its energy facilities if it does not come to terms.
Now, with a long-lasting deal in the offing, the talk has turned to what happens afterward. Trump hints rebuilding Iran would cost a fortune.
Estimates run well over $1 trillion when damage to roads, factories, power plants, and ports is included. Trump has indicated that he does not see the U.S. footing the bill for free.
His proposal echoes comments he made during his first term about Syria and other hotspots. Back then, he talked about securing oil fields to pay for American efforts.
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Giving the U.S. control over half of Iran’s oil output would likely reshape global energy flows, as Iran holds some of the world’s largest reserves.
The idea comes as Trump tries to wind down U.S. involvement in another long conflict.
During his campaigns, he made a promise to the Americans that he would end major wars that were troubling the world, especially wars in which American resources and soldiers were being involved.
He has repeatedly said he wants American troops home and fewer open-ended commitments abroad.
Tying reconstruction funds to oil rights could allow the U.S. to step back while still claiming success.
Questions and Challenges Facing Any Post-War Deal
Questions remain about how it would actually happen. Would American companies lead the rebuilding? How would security work in a country still run by a hostile government?
What about Iran’s nuclear program and its support for militant groups? Trump has said those issues must be addressed in any final deal.
He said that any deal with Iran must stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Trump has never hidden his belief that America gets taken advantage of in foreign deals. In this case, he is probably trying to flip the script.
Rebuilding after war is messy and expensive, as history shows such efforts often take years and face endless setbacks.
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