Donald Trump Says Stopping 'Evil Empire' In Iran More Important Than Oil Prices

Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 19:53 IST

Trump’s post came shortly before Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement, where he said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said stopping the “evil regime" in Iran was a higher priority than oil prices, which surged in early morning trading in the US after more Iranian attacks on oil tankers. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES

“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. I won’t ever let that happen!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Trump’s post came shortly before Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued his first statement since being elevated to succeed his father, in which he said the Strait of Hormuz should be closed to apply more pressure on Tehran’s enemies.

Khamenei said Iran will continue fighting to “avenge the blood of all its martyrs", including the slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and children. He also emphasised that Iran sought good relations with its neighbours, but would continue to strike US bases in Gulf countries.

ALSO READ: ‘Will Avenge Blood Of Martyrs’: Mojtaba Khamenei Warns Attack On US Bases In West Asia Will Continue

“The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well. Studies have also been conducted on opening other fronts in which the enemy has little experience and would be highly vulnerable. Their activation will take place, if the wartime situation continues and in accordance with considerations of expediency," Khamenei said.

“I assure everyone that we will not refrain from avenging the blood of your martyrs. The retaliation we have in mind is not limited only to the martyrdom of the great leader of the Revolution; rather, every member of the nation who is martyred by the enemy constitutes a separate case in the file of revenge," he added. ““A limited portion of this retaliation has already taken tangible form, but until it is fully achieved, this file will remain open above other cases. We will be especially sensitive regarding the blood of our children."

Iran launched a new wave of attacks against Gulf energy targets on Thursday that sent prices oil spiking briefly above $100 a barrel and led to a warning that the crisis could lead to “the largest supply disruption" in history.

Furthermore, drones caused damage again at Kuwait’s international airport and in downtown Dubai, while Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted drones headed towards its Shaybah oil field and its embassy district. With Gulf states slashing production and oil tankers stuck in the Gulf, benchmark oil prices have risen 40-50 percent since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, leading to concerns over inflation.

However, Trump, who is under mounting domestic pressure, ruled out the air campaign ending “immediately" while indicating that US forces were running out of targets to hit. The war has already killed more than 1,230 people in Iran.

(with inputs from agencies)

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