The president says preventing Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons remains the top priority despite volatility in global energy markets.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump said Thursday that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is a higher priority than concerns about rising oil prices as the United States continues military operations in the Middle East.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said that although the conflict has created turbulence in global energy markets, the strategic objective of stopping Iran’s nuclear ambitions remains paramount.
“The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,” Trump wrote.
“BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World.”
“I won’t ever let that happen!” he added.
The comments came as oil markets have experienced sharp price swings following the launch of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, a joint U.S. and Israeli military campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure.
Global oil prices briefly approached $120 per barrel earlier in the week as traders reacted to fears that fighting could disrupt supplies moving through the Persian Gulf, a critical route for global petroleum shipments.
Despite the volatility, Trump said the United States remains well-positioned to manage the situation due to strong domestic oil production.
During a visit to Thermo Fisher Scientific in Cincinnati, Trump said the federal government is prepared to release oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve if needed to stabilize energy prices.
“We’ll do that and then we’ll fill it up,” Trump said in an interview with WKRC-TV. “I filled it up once, and I’ll fill it up again, but right now we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down.”
International energy partners have also moved to stabilize markets. The International Energy Agency announced a coordinated release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves held by its member nations, marking the largest such release in the organization’s history.
Oil markets have since shown signs of easing. Brent crude traded at roughly $93 per barrel in after-hours trading Wednesday, significantly lower than the earlier surge.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to the United States’ position as a leading global energy producer as a strategic advantage during geopolitical crises.
During his first term, Trump sought to refill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve when oil prices collapsed during the COVID-19 pandemic, but congressional Democrats blocked funding for the purchase.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve currently holds approximately 416 million barrels of oil, down from about 638 million barrels when Trump left office in 2021 after the Biden administration drew down supplies in response to rising fuel prices.
Original article
Comments