U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that the ongoing war against Iran could be short-lived, while warning that the conflict could escalate sharply if global oil supplies are disrupted by the Islamic Republic.
Trump’s remarks came amid growing tensions in the Middle East following Iran’s decision to appoint Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader after the death of his father, Ali Khamenei. Investors interpreted the move as a sign that Tehran was taking a hardline stance ten days into the war launched by the United States and Israel.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Oil prices briefly surged to their highest levels since 2022 following the announcement. However, the prices later declined and U.S. stocks rose on hopes that the conflict might not last long.
Speaking to Republican lawmakers at his golf club near Miami, Trump said the military action was intended to eliminate threats in the region. “We took a little excursion to the Middle East to get rid of some evil, and I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion,” he said.
Later in the day, Trump issued a strong warning to Iran through a social media post. He stated that if Tehran attempted to halt the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial global shipping route—the United States would respond with overwhelming force.
Trump said Iran would be struck “twenty times harder” than before and warned that key targets in the country could be destroyed, making it extremely difficult for the nation to rebuild. At the same time, he expressed hope that such a situation would not occur, describing the continued flow of oil through the Strait as beneficial for countries heavily dependent on the route, including China and other major energy consumers.
The statement underscores the fragile situation in the region, where concerns over energy supply and potential escalation continue to keep global markets on edge.
