Why Washington Targets Iran and Venezuela: Empire, Energy, and Ideology

Why Washington Targets Iran and Venezuela

Venezuela and Iran hold the largest and third-largest petroleum reserves in the world, respectively. Both have also been targeted for regime change by Washington. The two commonalities are not unrelated. Of course, the world’s hegemon would like to get its hands on all their oil. But it would be simplistic to think that would be only for narrow economic reasons. Control over energy flows – especially from countries with large reserves – is centr…

Why Washington Targets Iran and Venezuela: Empire, Energy, and Ideology

By Roger D. Harris  –  Jun 19, 2025 Venezuela and Iran hold the largest and third-largest petroleum reserves in the world, respectively. Both have also been targeted for regime change by Washington. The two commonalities are not unrelated. Of course, the world’s hegemon would like to get its hands on all their oil. But it would be simplistic to think that would be only for narrow economic reasons. Control over energy flows—especially from countr…