(The Lion) — President Donald Trump said Thursday preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon is a higher priority than keeping oil prices down, warning that the American adversary could end up “destroying the Middle East, and, indeed, the world.”
Oil prices have surged in the United States and globally as America, Israel and other allies in the Middle East have carry out Operation Epic Fury, disrupting key supply routes such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump campaigned on lowering energy costs, branding former President Joe Biden’s energy policies as the “green new scam” and arguing they “burden ratepayers and consumers.” Trump has also maintained that he would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons.
“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 on Truth Social on Thursday. “BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stoping [sic] an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World. I won’t ever let that happen! Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP.”
The U.S. also announced Wednesday that it plans to release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), America’s emergency oil stockpile created after the energy crisis of the 1970s.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement Wednesday that the U.S. plans to replenish the oil to the reserve “at no cost to the taxpayer.”
Some energy policy experts, including oil and gas industry veteran David Blackmon, noted that drawing from the SPR could indicate that the United States is planning for a long-raging conflict.
The Trump administration is also reportedly planning to waive a maritime law known as the Jones Act, which requires U.S.-built ships to carry goods between American ports, according to Bloomberg News. The publication reported Thursday that the plan is intended to lower fuel costs.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told The Lion in a statement that “in the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports. This action has not been finalized.”
