\n<\/p>\n
President Donald Trump said that destroying Iran\u2019s nuclear weapons capabilities was worth the price of increasing oil prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Trump made the comments after the price of global benchmark Brent crude oil surpassed<\/a> $100 per barrel for the second time this week on Thursday morning. The president said increasing prices would generate more revenue for the United States.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money,\u201d Trump wrote on Truth Social. \u201cBUT, 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\u2019t ever let that happen!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The Pentagon echoed the president\u2019s statement and said the focus of the Iran operation is destroying its ability to develop nuclear weapons for the long term. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Iran was developing a conventional shield system to protect its nuclear capabilities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the war continues, Trump said that he would release 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. He said Wednesday night that the reserve would be quickly refilled when possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Trump administration is also considering waiving the Jones Act, a federal law that requires goods transported between U.S. ports to be owned and operated by American citizens. The action could help lower the costs of shipping oil and other products.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports. This action has not been finalized,\u201d White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Since the launch of the Iran operation, gas prices have risen significantly across the United States. The national average on Thursday was $3.59 per gallon compared to $2.94 one month ago, according<\/a> to AAA.<\/p>\n Trump has also floated using U.S. Navy ships to escort oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, where roughly a fifth of the world\u2019s oil flows. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Thursday that it may happen soon, but said the military was focused on the Iran operation at the moment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n