US President Donald Trump declared on Thursday that it is "much more important" for him to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons than to worry about the rise in oil prices due to the war in the Middle East.
"The United States is by far the largest oil producer in the world, so when oil prices rise, we make a lot of money. BUT, as president, what is much more important to me is preventing an evil empire, Iran, from acquiring nuclear weapons and destroying the Middle East, and perhaps even the whole world," the president wrote on his Truth Social platform.
US Energy Secretary predicts "weeks of disruption in energy markets"
US President Donald Trump is concerned about the impact of rising energy prices on American consumers, as stated on Thursday by Energy Secretary Chris Wright in an interview with Fox News. He added that only "a few weeks of disruption in energy markets" are expected.
Furthermore, Wright has taken responsibility for a social media post that incorrectly claimed that the US Navy had escorted a tanker through the Strait of Hormuz. Wright stated on Fox News that it was due to a misunderstanding in his department and that in the future, he would personally approve posts to prevent it from happening again.
Iran has arrested nearly 200 people amid the war, denounces a human rights organization
Iranian authorities have arrested nearly 200 people across the country on charges related to the war against the United States and Israel, denounced on Thursday by a US-based human rights defense group. The charges include social media activity, sending content to foreign media, espionage, and public order disruption, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).
The organization, which claims its figure is based on official reports, stated that at least 195 people have been detained nationwide. In one case, the intelligence arm of the Revolutionary Guards announced that 10 people were arrested for filming locations hit by attacks and then sending the images to foreign media.