President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, urging the regime to 'get their act together' and comply with US demands to halt its nuclear programme, as global oil prices continue to soar. In a unconventional post on Truth Social, Trump shared an apparent AI-generated image of himself holding a large firearm amidst explosions, captioned 'No more Mr. Nice Guy!'
Trump's Warning
The accompanying message directly addressed the Iranian leadership: 'Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon!' This comes as diplomatic efforts to resolve the nuclear standoff appear to have stalled.
Oil Price Surge
Meanwhile, Brent Crude, the international benchmark for oil, has risen to $115 per barrel, marking a more than 3% increase since the early hours of the morning. West Texas Intermediate, the US benchmark, has climbed above $103 per barrel. The price spike reflects growing market anxiety over the lack of progress in negotiations with Iran.
Earlier reports indicated that Trump has instructed his team to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, aiming to drain the regime's financial resources. According to The Wall Street Journal, the US president believes that crippling Tehran's economy will reduce its leverage in future talks. US officials have noted that the blockade is already severely impacting Iran's economy, as the regime struggles to store unsold oil surpluses.
The combination of Trump's aggressive rhetoric and the tightening economic pressure has heightened tensions in the region, with oil markets reacting sharply to the uncertainty.
