Washington, DC [US], June 23 (ANI): Following the United States’ precision airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning on Monday urging businesses and individuals to avoid driving up prices, particularly in the oil sector. Posting on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump cautioned that price hikes could undermine national interests during a critical time of global tension.
“EVERYONE, KEEP OIL PRICES DOWN. I’M WATCHING! YOU’RE PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY. DON’T DO IT!” Trump posted, without naming any specific countries or companies. However, the statement is widely interpreted as a message directed at US oil companies and OPEC members, amid growing concerns over energy market stability following recent military escalations.
This comes in the backdrop of heightened tensions in the Middle East, especially after Iran hinted at potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route. The waterway is vital for the export of nearly 20 percent of global oil and a significant share of liquefied natural gas, primarily from Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard commander, Sardar Esmail Kowsari, confirmed that closing the Strait is “under consideration,” calling it one of the options being evaluated in response to the US strikes. “Our hands are wide open when it comes to punishing the enemy,” said Kowsari, who also serves as a member of the Iranian Parliament.
Over the weekend, the US launched Operation Midnight Hammer, striking Iran’s underground nuclear facilities at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, which President Trump called a “very successful” mission. The Pentagon confirmed the strikes were executed with precision and involved advanced tactics to avoid detection.
In response, EuroNews reported that Iran may target oil platforms, shipping routes, and port infrastructure using short- and medium-range missiles, drones, and cyberwarfare—a tactic previously used in a 2012 cyberattack on Saudi oil infrastructure.
Security experts warned that a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would result in skyrocketing global oil prices and pose an “energy disaster” for Europe. Claude Moniquet, a former French intelligence officer, told EuroNews that Tehran’s potential retaliation may include cyberattacks or even terrorist actions on the European mainland.
The Trump administration has maintained that its military actions were aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and protecting global security. However, the looming threat of oil supply disruption has prompted the President to call for restraint in energy pricing, highlighting the strategic and economic sensitivities tied to the unfolding crisis.
With markets already bracing for volatility, all eyes are now on the Strait of Hormuz, where any disruption could send shockwaves across global economies. (ANI)
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