Crude oil futures were little changed on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate over its nuclear program in the wake of six days of Israeli airstrikes.
U.S. crude oil futures rose 30 cents, or 0.4%, to close at $75.14 a barrel, while global benchmark Brent gained 25 cents, or 0.25%, to settle at $76.70 per barrel. Prices had jumped more than 4% on Tuesday after Trump called for Iran’s unconditional surrender.
The president told reporters outside the White House Wednesday that the Iranians had reached out to him and suggested that they send a delegation to the White House to negotiate.
“They want to negotiate,” Trump said. “They even suggested that they come to the White House. That’s courageous. It’s like not easy for them to do.”
Trump confirmed Wednesday that he was considering a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, though he indicated that no final decision had been made on whether to attack.
“I may do it, I may not do it, I mean nobody knows what I’m going to do,” Trump told reporters. The president said it wasn’t too late to reach a negotiated settlement: “Nothing is too late,” he told reporters.
Trump’s comments Wednesday seemed like a shift in tone from his threats against Iran a day ago on his social media platform Truth Social. The president on Tuesday threatened Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning him that he is an “easy target” and U.S. patience was wearing thin.
Khamenei was defiant Wednesday, warning the U.S. of “irreparable damage” if it joined Israel’s air campaign. Oil prices have gained about 10% since Israel launched its campaign against Iran last Friday.
(Source)