While the world fixates on a historic oil price spike, President Trump is pointing to a danger he considers far more serious: the possibility of Iran obtaining nuclear weapons. In a post on Truth Social on Thursday, Trump said that stopping Iran from going nuclear is more important to him than the surging oil prices currently alarming global markets. He also noted that as the world’s largest oil producer, the United States benefits economically from higher crude prices, which he suggested softens the blow of the current crisis for America.
The energy disruption underlying the oil spike is severe by any measure. The IEA described it as the biggest supply shock ever recorded, with Gulf producers reportedly cutting output by 10 million barrels per day — approximately 10% of global demand. Brent crude briefly topped $100 per barrel Thursday, rising as much as 10% during the session, while West Texas Intermediate approached $96 before easing.
Trump’s post was unequivocal in its priorities. He described Iran as an “evil Empire” and stated that preventing it from acquiring nuclear weapons and destabilizing the Middle East and the world is his paramount goal as president. He pledged to never permit this outcome. The declaration positioned the ongoing military conflict as a strategic imperative rather than a policy choice driven by oil considerations.
The president’s comments add complexity to an already turbulent situation. By insisting that nuclear concerns outweigh economic ones, Trump is implicitly signaling that the conflict will not end simply because oil prices are high. This stance may frustrate allies who are already suffering from the energy shock and are eager for a ceasefire. Trump’s statements have also been contradictory, ranging from hints that the war is ending to declarations that the US military is far from done.
The IEA coordinated the release of 400 million barrels of emergency crude from its member nations, and the US pledged 172 million barrels from its Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Despite these interventions, global markets remain deeply unsettled. Trump also said he is not worried about any Iranian strike on American territory.