Trump said on Wednesday that Americans' rising costs are not driving his talks with Iran, as he spoke to reporters while leaving the White House for a trip to China. He said he was not thinking about the financial situation at all, only about preventing Tehran from getting a nuclear weapon. [1, 2, 3]
"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," Trump said in one version of the remarks. Another account quoted him saying it was "not even a little bit" motivating him. [1, 2, 3]
The comments came as reports linked the Iran war to higher prices for U.S. consumers. One account said April inflation in the U.S. was 3.8%, average gasoline prices were above $4.50 a gallon, food prices were up nearly 4% and airline fares had risen more than 20%. Another said the war had added about $38.1 billion in energy costs in the U.S., including $20.86 billion in extra petroleum costs and $17.2 billion in diesel costs, or about $290.56 a month for the average household. [1, 3]
The reports also differed on the war's timeline. Anadolu said the conflict began on Feb. 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iran that triggered retaliation and closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It said a ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation and was later extended indefinitely. The Guardian said the U.S. and Israel first attacked Iran in late February. [1, 3]
Trump's remarks were reported by English-language U.S. and international outlets as he headed to China. [1, 2, 3]
