Trump Wants Iran's Oil, Spain Shuts Airspace, Brent Hits $116 | Daily Brief
U.S. and Israeli forces blacked out Tehran overnight as Trump openly floated seizing Iran's oil fields, Spain closed its airspace to U.S. warplanes, and Brent crude surged past $116 on Day 31 of the war.
The morning briefing on a war entering its fifth week with no exit in sight — Trump openly musing about seizing Iranian oil fields, a NATO ally closing its airspace to U.S. warplanes, Tehran striking a Kuwaiti desalination plant, and Brent crude crossing $116 a barrel.
U.S. and Israeli forces struck infrastructure across Tehran early Monday, causing a blackout in the Iranian capital that has since been restored, as President Trump told the Financial Times his “preference would be to take the oil in Iran” — comparing a potential seizure of Kharg Island to U.S. operations in Venezuela, where Washington now controls the oil industry indefinitely. Brent crude surged 3.5% to $116 a barrel on the comments, up more than 50% since the war began February 28.
The diplomatic picture is deeply contradictory. Pakistan’s Foreign Minister confirmed Sunday that Islamabad is prepared to host “meaningful talks” between the U.S. and Iran “in the coming days,” and Trump claimed Iran agreed to allow 20 large oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday “as a sign of respect.” Iran’s Foreign Ministry flatly denied any direct negotiations are underway and called the U.S. 15-point proposal “largely excessive, unrealistic, and unreasonable.” In a separate interview, Trump said Iran had agreed to “most of” his demands — a claim Iran also did not confirm. On the battlefield, the war is actively widening: Yemen’s Houthis fired missiles at Israel over the weekend in their first strikes since the conflict began, opening a potential second front on the Red Sea. Iran hit a water and desalination plant in Kuwait on Monday, killing one worker and injuring 10 soldiers. Saudi Arabia intercepted five missiles targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province, and a fireball erupted over Dubai as an incoming missile was intercepted.
On the NATO alliance front, Spain closed its entire airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in the Iran war Monday — going beyond its earlier refusal to allow access to bases at Rota and Morón. Defense Minister Margarita Robles said the position was “made perfectly clear to the American military from the very beginning.” Trump threatened to cut all trade with Spain. Spain’s Economy Minister called the war “a unilateral war that violates international law.”
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Quick Hits
- France Probes Iran Link in Foiled Bank of America Bomb Plot in Paris — French authorities arrested three suspects Saturday after officers spotted them carrying a bag near the Bank of America building in Paris's 8th arrondissement. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said investigators are making a "direct link" to Iran based on similarities to other recent attempted attacks in Europe claimed by a pro-Iran group. A national anti-terrorism investigation has been opened. [Source]
- Russia Provided Iran Satellite Imagery of U.S. Air Base Before Strike — Ukrainian President Zelensky said Russia provided Iran with updated satellite imagery of Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia ahead of an Iranian strike that injured 29 American soldiers over the weekend, five of them seriously. An E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft — worth hundreds of millions of dollars — was among the assets damaged in the attack. Russia denied the claim. [Source]
- Pakistan Seals Deal: 20 Iranian Ships Per Day Through Hormuz — Iran agreed through Pakistani mediation to allow 20 ships sailing under the Pakistani flag to transit the Strait of Hormuz — two per day. It is the first structured passage arrangement since Iran effectively closed the waterway at the start of the war. The GCC called it a constructive gesture but noted the strait remains largely closed to most international shipping. [Source]
- Israel Passes Budget, Avoids Early Elections — Israel's parliament passed its annual budget in a marathon overnight session Monday, ensuring Netanyahu's government can complete its term through the fall. The budget had to pass before April 1 to avoid triggering early elections. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the budget, which increased funding to ultra-Orthodox communities during wartime, "the greatest theft in the state's history." [Source]
What to Watch For
Pakistan Talks Timeline: Pakistan says meaningful U.S.-Iran talks are coming “in the coming days.” Watch whether any date or venue is confirmed, and whether Iranian officials of any seniority signal willingness to attend.
Kharg Island Decision Window: Trump said “maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we don’t.” With 2,500 Marines now in the region and more arriving, military analysts say a ground operation could come within the week. Watch CENTCOM statements.
Spain-U.S. Trade Threat: Trump threatened to cut trade with Spain. Watch whether that escalates to formal action or whether the White House walks it back as it did after earlier Spain standoffs.
April 6 Deadline: Trump’s pause on strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure expires April 6. Watch whether the Pakistan talks produce anything substantive enough to justify another extension — or whether the next announcement is accompanied by another suspicious oil futures spike.
Houthi Red Sea Threat: The Houthis have now entered the war against Israel. Watch whether they expand operations to target Red Sea shipping, which would trigger a second major global supply chain disruption on top of the Hormuz blockade.
By The Numbers
Brent crude per barrel Monday morning, up 3.5% after Trump's "take the oil" comments. Up more than 50% since the war began February 28.
U.S. soldiers injured in two separate Iranian strikes on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia over the weekend, five seriously. An E-3 Sentry early warning aircraft was among the assets damaged.
Oil tankers Iran agreed to allow through the Strait of Hormuz under the Pakistan mediation deal — two per day. Before the war, approximately 130 ships transited daily.
People internally displaced across the region as of mid-March, per the UNHCR. Lebanon alone has displaced more than one million since February 28.
Schools and educational institutions damaged by U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran since February 28, alongside 289 medical facilities, per Iranian authorities.
Quote of the Day
"This is not the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper."
— Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, addressing parliament Monday as Spain formally closed its airspace to U.S. warplanes.
https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/world/spain-closes-airspace-for-us-aircraft-involved-in-iran-war-was-made-perfectly-clear-to-americans-2026-03-30-1035629
Bottom Line
Day 31 and the war is bigger than it was at Day 1 on every axis — geography, casualties, economic damage, and allied fracture. A NATO member has now closed its airspace to U.S. warplanes. The Houthis have opened a potential second front. Iran is hitting desalination plants in the Gulf, attacking the drinking water supply of countries that have almost no other source. Trump wants the oil. Iran says there are no talks. Pakistan says there are. Brent is at $116 and climbing. The April 6 deadline is one week away and nothing suggests Iran is moving toward the 15 points. Watch what happens to oil futures in the 15 minutes before the next Trump announcement.
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