On Sunday, former President Donald Trump argued that a temporary increase in oil prices is a necessary sacrifice if it results in disabling Iran's nuclear ambitions. He added that only "FOOLS" would oppose such a strategy.
Trump made the comments on his Truth Social platform, stating that once the operation against Iran’s nuclear threat concludes, gas prices will quickly drop. His post read:
"Short-term oil prices, which will drop rapidly once the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over, is a very small price to pay for U.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINK DIFFERENTLY! – President DJT"
Trump’s statement comes in the wake of rising oil prices, with Brent crude oil topping $100 per barrel on Sunday. This price hike follows a series of coordinated U.S.-Israeli military strikes, which led to the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with several other high-ranking officials within Iran’s government.
As of Sunday evening, oil futures were trading at $106.66 per barrel, reflecting a 59% increase from the $67 price per barrel recorded on February 27, the day before Khamenei’s death.
On Friday, Trump reiterated that peace talks with Iran would not happen unless Iran's government surrenders unconditionally and elects what he termed "GREAT & ACCEPTABLE Leaders."
"Their military is decimated, their navy and communications are destroyed, and their leadership has been replaced twice," Trump remarked. "Their air force is completely wiped out... other than that, they’re doing just fine."
In a further development on Sunday, Iranian officials named Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late supreme leader, as the new figurehead for the country. This move came days after Trump dismissed Mojtaba Khamenei as a weak leader in an interview with Axios.
"They're wasting their time," Trump commented on the younger Khamenei’s rise to power. "He's a lightweight."
Trump had initially predicted that U.S. and Israeli military actions in Iran would take about a month. However, he expressed confidence that the operation was ahead of schedule, despite the escalating geopolitical tensions.
