US President Donald Trump said Tehran is reaching out to Washington to make a deal amid US and Israeli strikes on Iran, Reuters reported.
“They're calling, asking how to make a deal. I told them they're a little late“, Trump said during an event at the White House. He added that Tehran's missile and drone capabilities were collapsing and that "their navy was gone - 24 ships in three days".
"We also call on Iranian diplomats around the world to seek asylum and help us shape a new and better Iran", he said.
At the same time, the US president said that he first wanted to end the war in Iran, but after that "it will only be a matter of time before a lot of incredible people return to Cuba". According to him, Havana "very much wants to make a deal". "We want to get this over with first," he said, referring to the conflict in Iran.
Trump said he was not concerned about rising U.S. fuel prices caused by the escalating conflict in Iran, saying the U.S. "military operation" was his priority.
"I have no concerns about it. They're going to come down very quickly when this is over, and if they go up, they're going to go up," he said when asked about higher gas prices. The comments marked a change in tone from the president, who last month spoke of falling fuel prices, Reuters reported.
Political analysts say the continued rise in fuel prices could hurt Republicans in November's midterm elections, when control of the U.S. Congress will be at stake. Voters are already unhappy with the high cost of living and Trump's handling of the economy.
White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Energy Secretary Chris Wright have reached out to oil company executives to discuss possible options to combat rising energy prices, White House press secretary Caroline Levitt said.
Trump has outlined a four- to five-week timeline for a military campaign against Iran, but political and military experts have questioned that, noting that the U.S. government has yet to articulate its ultimate goal as the conflict continues to spread across the region and beyond.
In the interview, Trump said he is not seeking to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the world's largest emergency stockpile of crude oil, and that he is confident that the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil supply channel near Iran, will remain open because Iran's fleet is at the “bottom of the sea”.
Global oil prices have jumped 16% since the war began on Saturday. The national average price of gasoline has risen 27 cents since last week to $3.25 a gallon. The current national average is 15 cents higher than a year ago. Trump said prices “haven't gone up much”.
Republican leaders in Congress, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson, have also dismissed concerns about rising gas prices, even as the party plans to focus on economic gains ahead of the midterm elections.