Washington DC - President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed skyrocketing oil prices, which he claimed are less important that his war on Iran and would lead to the US making "a lot of money" anyway.
"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 boasted in a Truth Social post as the price of a barrel topped $100 again amid Iran's retaliation to the unprovoked US-Israeli assault.
"BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World," the 79-year-old insisted.
Iran has repeatedly and categorically denied pursuing a nuclear weapon, and has responded to the war with attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries that host US bases.
The vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping lane has also been virtually closed to traffic since the start of the war.
"In response to the order of the commander-in-chief, we will deliver the harshest blows to the aggressor enemy while maintaining the strategy of closing the Strait of Hormuz," said Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri in a post on X.
Despite previous claims made by Trump and members of his administration, Energy Secretary Chris Wright on Thursday admitted that the US Navy was "not ready" to escort oil tankers through the strait.He said the US would be releasing 172 million barrels of oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserves, as part of an unprecedented emergency action taken by member countries of the International Energy Agency.