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‘I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation,’ says Trump amid Iran talks
TL;DR
Trump stated that the financial struggles of Americans due to the Iran conflict do not influence his stance on peace talks, emphasizing that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons is his priority.
Key points
- Trump prioritizes preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
- US inflation is at a three-year high, rising 3.8% in April.
- Energy costs surged after the US and Israel attacked Iran.
- Trump's remarks may influence the midterm election campaign.
Mentioned in this story
Donald TrumpIranIsrael
Donald Trump has said the growing financial pressure inflicted on Americans by the war on Iran is “not even a little bit” motivating him to make a peace deal with Tehran.
With US inflation at a three-year high, and fuel costs still climbing after a sharp rise in oil prices, the US president said on Tuesday that he is not focused on the economic hardship sparked by the conflict.
“The only thing that matters when I’m talking about Iran [is] they can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Trump told reporters at the White House before boarding a plane to China. “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody. I think about one thing: We cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all.”
The remarks come ahead of a US midterm election campaign season which looks to be defined by mounting concerns around affordability.
Trump was also speaking hours after official figures revealed that US prices had risen 3.8% in April – their fastest pace since 2023 – driven largely by energy costs that have surged since the US and Israel first attacked Iran in late February.
Gasoline now averages over $4.50 a gallon, according to AAA, which makes it the highest price in four years. Food prices are also up nearly 4%, electricity and utility bills have climbed and airlines have raised fares by more than 20%.
Trump’s top officials have spent months struggling to explain when, or whether, such pressures will fade. Chris Wright, the US energy secretary, said in March that fuel could return to prewar levels by summer, but on Sunday he said he “can’t make predictions”. In April, he told CNN that prices falling below $3 a gallon “might not happen till next year”.
Trump himself, asked recently for a forecast, offered that prices could go lower, “or the same, or maybe a little bit higher”, by November.
Kevin Hassett, Trump’s top economic adviser, told Fox News on Sunday that relief was coming “relatively quickly and certainly ahead of the election”. He also claimed the president had personally assured him the “war is close to being over”.
Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, took a different tack last week, suggesting Americans should count themselves fortunate, since other countries were suffering “big time”.
Q&A
What did Trump say about Americans' financial situation amid Iran talks?
Trump claimed that he does not consider Americans' financial hardships when discussing Iran, focusing solely on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
How has US inflation been affected by the conflict with Iran?
US inflation has reached a three-year high, with prices rising 3.8% in April, largely driven by increased energy costs linked to the conflict with Iran.
What are the implications of Trump's remarks for the upcoming midterm elections?
Trump's comments may impact the midterm elections as they reflect a disconnect between his foreign policy focus and growing concerns about affordability among voters.
When did the US and Israel first attack Iran, affecting fuel costs?
The US and Israel first attacked Iran in late February, which has contributed to the surge in energy costs and inflation.
