Trump downplays Iran conflict as DOJ quietly shuts probe into Venezuela oil deal

Former President Donald Trump has recently downplayed the ongoing conflict with Iran, characterizing it as "small potatoes" and a "military conflict" rather than a full-scale war. His remarks, made in early September 2026 as the conflict entered its seventh month, echo similar sentiments from Vice President JD Vance who suggested the situation had cooled. Trump acknowledged that 18 U.S. service members have died in the fighting but compared it favorably to other military engagements, emphasizing that the primary goal remains preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Concurrently, the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration quietly closed a decade-long federal investigation into Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, who was implicated in a billion-dollar money laundering scheme connected to Venezuela's state oil company. This closure reportedly occurred after administration officials sought to enable Betancourt to assist the U.S. in brokering a significant oil deal with Venezuela. While the DOJ has denied personal intervention by then-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, the move has raised questions amid the broader context of the U.S. "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran.

The United States maintains an intensified economic pressure campaign against Iran, which Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has termed "Operation Economic Outcast," aimed at isolating Tehran economically. This comprehensive strategy targets Iranian entities and potentially extends to foreign businesses trading with Iran, with discussions ongoing within the administration about whether this pressure could instigate internal unrest or regime change in Iran. The military conflict with Iran commenced on February 28, 2026, forming a multifaceted approach that combines military actions with significant economic leverage.