US President Donald Trump has invited Iran to 'take out' Los Angeles or San Diego in a speech on petrol prices in the wake of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The Republican leader took to a rally in Nebraska on Monday where he declared that the two Democrat-leaning cities could be sacrificed in order to 'keep the world safe' and that it would be 'a very small price to pay'.
Rally remarks on petrol prices
At the rally, he told the cheering crowd, when talking about the high prices of petrol: "With the war, it's just artificial. It's a little bit high. It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe.
"They can take out a city. Let 'em take out Los Angeles. Let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay, and it's going to be over with very soon."
Online outrage
The gathered crowd cheered his words, but online, the President's calls were met with outrage.
@emilyandme2 said: "What fresh hell are we in right now where a US president wants IRAN to take out American cities!!???
"At any other time in history, a president would be forced to resign or be impeached with days."
@realtor_gilbert added: "Trump sending subliminal messages to Iran. There was no need to say that. Pure and simple this is treason!! It's time for him to go."
Diesel prices soar
Diesel prices have soared in recent months because of the disruption to global supplies caused by the US-Israel war against Iran and the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The UK imports nearly 55% of its diesel and the US provides nearly a third of that amount.
The average price of a litre of diesel in the UK hit a record high of 200.01p on Friday, according to figures compiled by the RAC. The previous record high was 199.09p, in June 2022 after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The RAC's head of policy Simon Williams said the price rises are showing "no signs" of slowing down.
He said: "The cost of filling up an average family car is now £110, almost £32 more than it was at the start of the US and Iran war.
"This will be very challenging for households and companies that drive a lot of miles, from commuters, haulage and delivery firms, businesses with large fleets all the way through to sole traders.
"In a cruel twist, it's diesel vehicles, which were once considered the most cost-effective option for lengthy journeys, that are now burning a hole in people's pockets."
The UK, as a member of the International Energy Agency, is required to keep oil stocks equal to at least 90 days of net oil imports in reserve. It is thought these can be used to respond to severe supply disruptions in the global market.
