Trump Puts Iran's Nuclear Program Over Oil Profits in Conflict Stance

In a post by the White House, President Trump, while acknowledging that the United States is currently the world's leading oil producer and stands to benefit financially from higher crude prices, emphasised that his administration's overriding mission remains the permanent dismantling of Iran's nuclear program.

Trump said, "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. BUT, of far greater interest and importance to me, as President, is stopping an evil Empire, Iran, from having Nuclear Weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the World."

The statement comes amid rising tensions in West Asia following joint US-Israeli military operations that resulted in the killing of Iran's former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, disrupting key shipping routes and affecting global energy markets.

Meanwhile, Iraq has shut down oil port operations after attacks on two foreign-flagged oil tankers, while Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia intercepted further Iranian missiles and drones, Al Jazeera reported.

As per Al Jazeera, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian outlined three conditions to end the conflict: recognition of Tehran's legitimate rights, payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression.

Meanwhile, Iran and Hezbollah launched coordinated attacks on Israel as Israeli forces continued large-scale strikes on Beirut, Lebanon, Al Jazeera reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, US President Trump claimed that military operations over the past 11 days had severely weakened Iran's military capabilities. He said that American forces had "virtually destroyed" key elements of the country's defence infrastructure.

"Over the past 11 days, our military has virtually destroyed Iran. Tough country," Trump said while addressing a gathering here.

Describing the Persian Gulf country as "tough", he asserted that its core military systems had been "virtually destroyed".

The US president claimed Iran's defence network had been neutralised within hours of the operation beginning.

"Their air force is gone. That took the better part of about three hours. They no longer have radar. They don't have anti-aircraft equipment. They don't have anything. Their missiles are down by 90 per cent. Their drones are down by 85 per cent. We're blowing up the factories where they're made, left and right," he said.

Trump also linked the current military campaign to previous US operations against militant leaders, including the killing of Soleimani and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi during his presidency.

"Nobody has ever seen anything like what you're witnessing now. That can include the original killing of Soleimani and al-Baghdadi, two of the worst killers in the world that I took out, as well as Operation Midnight Hammer, where we totally obliterated Iran's nuclear potential," he said, adding that earlier actions also included Operation Midnight Hammer, which he said had targeted Iran's nuclear capabilities.

"They don't have nuclear potential," Trump said, referring to the operation.

According to Trump, the renewed military action was aimed at preventing Iran from rebuilding its military capabilities after earlier strikes.

"After Midnight Hammer, we left. We figured that'll be the end of them for a while. But they started again. That's why we got to finish it," he said. Trump added, "We don't want to go back every two years".

Earlier, Trump said that the International Energy Agency (IEA) had agreed to coordinate the release of 400 million barrels of oil from national petroleum reserves worldwide in a bid to reduce prices amid conflict involving Iran.

He said the coordinated move was aimed at keeping global energy supplies stable while the United States continues military operations linked to the ongoing conflict.

"My administration is also working to keep the oil flowing all over," he said.

- ANI