U.S. President Donald Trump [AP Yonhap News]

U.S. President Donald Trump argued on the 12th (local time) that while the United States is greatly benefiting from rising international oil prices, preventing Iran from possessing nuclear weapons is more important.

President Trump said on his social media platform, Truth Social, on the same day, "The United States is the world's largest producer of crude oil," adding, "Therefore, when oil prices rise, we make a lot of money."

He continued, "However, as President, what is far more important and of interest to me is to prevent Iran, the empire of evil, from possessing nuclear weapons and destroying not only the Middle East but the entire world," stating, "I will never let that happen."

This statement is interpreted as an effort to emphasize that the recent military operations by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, which have led to rising international oil prices, are based on the security objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It also appears to be an attempt to deflect criticism surrounding the U.S. military actions.

Nevertheless, President Trump's assertion that "the U.S. makes a lot of money from rising oil prices" appears to be controversial given that rising oil prices are increasing the cost of living burden for U.S. citizens.

The U.S. launched its attack on Iran on the 28th of last month and has been continuing the military operation, dubbed 'Epic Fury,' for 13 days as of today. International oil prices have surged as Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's crude oil shipments pass.

A price board at a gas station in the United States on the 7th (local time) [Photo by Cho Joon-hyung]