US President Donald Trump has threatened to hit Iran 'very hard' in response to a drone attack on a US-owned LNG tanker in Egypt, according to an interview with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst. The interview covered a range of topics including the ongoing conflict with Iran, strikes in Iraq, and economic impacts.
Trump stated: 'We will hit Iran very hard because it's our turn.' He also said, 'We'll be hitting them hard. They're going to get a beating.' The comments follow a missile attack on US forces in Jordan and a drone attack on a US-owned LNG tanker at Egypt's Damietta port. British maritime security firm Ambrey reported the attack on the tanker 'Energos Winter,' with no casualties and the fire extinguished.
We will hit Iran very hard because it's our turn.
Trump described Iran-backed militias as 'cancer of the world' and said he intends to issue a warning to Iran-backed groups. He claimed that US forces had only a few minutes to respond to the attack and that Iranian missiles were shot down before reaching targets, characterizing it as a surprise attack. Trump also stated that Iran knows the attack is coming and they ask the US not to do it.
Brent crude oil price surged approximately 7% to $90 per barrel after Trump's statements.
The interview also touched on coordination with Iraq. Trump stated that US-Saudi strikes in Iraq were coordinated with the Iraqi government. However, the Iraqi presidency condemned the bombing as 'an unacceptable attack and a blatant violation of Iraq's sovereignty,' rejecting the use of Iraqi territory to launch attacks on neighboring countries. Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones launched by Iran-aligned groups, and the joint air operation in Iraq followed attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Trump commented on reports that Iran is acquiring Chinese-made portable air defense systems or rocket launchers, stating it would be surprising because Chinese President Xi Jinping assured him China would not be involved in supplying arms to Iran. Trump also called UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to open North Sea oil fields 'sensible' and said the UK would be very wealthy if it does, while also addressing immigration issues.
On the economic front, Brent crude oil price rose approximately 7% to $90 per barrel after Trump's statements, while gold fell 0.8% to below $4,000 per ounce and silver fell 0.5% to below $57. The BIST 100 index dropped 1.5% and the banking index dropped 3.5%. The rise in energy costs due to geopolitical tensions may cause central banks to keep interest rate policies tighter.