Saddam Hussein says that the United States wants to overthrow his government in order to dominate the oil reserves of the Middle East. According to the Iraqi news agency, he stated on Monday during a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus in Baghdad that the U.S. believes it will be able to control the global oil market. Last week, Dick Cheney, the U.S. Vice President, said that no factor threatens peace more than the potential use of Iraq's nuclear weapons to seize global energy resources. The Persian Gulf is home to the largest crude oil reserves, with Saudi Arabia and Iraq holding the largest oil resources in the world.
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Saddam Hussein: America Wants to Dominate Middle Eastern Oil Reserves - 2002-09-03
Feb 12, 2026
February 12, 2026
1 min read
📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway
Saddam Hussein accused the U.S. of wanting to overthrow his regime to control Middle Eastern oil reserves. This statement was made during a meeting with Belarus's Deputy Prime Minister. The issue is significant as it highlights the geopolitical tensions surrounding oil resources in the region.
🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line:
Saddam's accusations highlight the contentious dynamics of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, particularly regarding oil.
👥 Key Players
Saddam Hussein
MENTIONED
President of Iraq
"As the leader of Iraq, Hussein's actions and statements significantly impacted regional stability and U.S. foreign policy."
Dick Cheney
MENTIONED
Vice President of the United States
"Cheney was a key figure in shaping U.S. policy towards Iraq, particularly in the context of energy security and military intervention."
📰 What Happened
Saddam Hussein accused the United States of wanting to overthrow his government to gain control over Middle Eastern oil reserves during a meeting with Belarus's Deputy Prime Minister. This statement reflects ongoing tensions regarding U.S. interests in the region's vast oil resources.
- The Persian Gulf contains the largest crude oil reserves in the world.
- Iraq and Saudi Arabia hold the largest oil resources globally.
💡 Why It Matters
🇮🇷 For Iran: Iran views U.S. actions in Iraq as a direct threat to its own regional influence and security, especially given the historical rivalry between the two nations.
🌍 Regional: The statement underscores the geopolitical struggle over oil resources in the Middle East, which affects regional alliances and conflicts.
🌐 International: For international stakeholders, particularly Western nations, control over oil resources is linked to energy security and economic stability.
📚 Background
The Middle East is a critical region for global oil production, and control over these resources has historically driven foreign interventions. Saddam Hussein's regime was often at odds with U.S. interests, particularly following the Gulf War.
U.S.-Iraq relations
Middle Eastern oil politics
📡 Source:
STATE MEDIA
📊 Confidence:
70%
The information comes from the Iraqi news agency, which may reflect the government's perspective and propaganda.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
🌐
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%
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