U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. [AP Yonhap News File Photo]

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent predicted on the 3rd (local time) that oil prices in the United States would plummet once the war against Iran ends.

In an interview with Fox News on the same day, Secretary Bessent stated that he has an "optimistic outlook that prices will be significantly lower after the war is over than at any point earlier this year or in 2020 or 2025."

He added, "We can see in the futures market that prices for oil three, six, and nine months from now are already lower."

Regarding Iran's attacks on other Middle Eastern countries during this war, Secretary Bessent said, "Gulf neighbors who had been somewhat generous in allowing funds from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or the Iranian regime to flow into their financial systems have been very proactive in providing details this time, which has enabled us to freeze those assets."

He continued, "The IRGC is watching its stolen assets, accumulated over 47 years, get frozen and disappear in an instant."

Secretary Bessent also indicated that Iran's oil storage facilities are reaching capacity due to the U.S. blockade of Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, stating, "At this rate, they will soon have to shut down their wells, and I believe that's likely to happen next week."

He also commented on the transit fees Iran imposes in the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "I believe their transit fee revenue is less than $1.3 million (approximately 1.9 billion won). This is very small compared to their past daily oil revenues."

Regarding President Donald Trump's upcoming visit to China on the 14th-15th and his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Secretary Bessent stated, "As far as I know, President Trump is not looking to change the schedule."

He added, "China has been financing Iran through energy purchases. We have urged China not to do so, and this is an ongoing topic of discussion," suggesting that the Iran war and energy supply chains will be major agenda items for the upcoming U.S.-China summit.