15 September 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : US President Donald Trump has claimed that Iran wants to reach a deal with Washington “quickly and badly” and predicted that oil prices could fall sharply once the ongoing conflict ends.
Trump’s remarks came as fighting continued to disrupt energy supplies and shipping routes across the Middle East, with crude prices remaining elevated amid concerns over the Strait of Hormuz and regional oil infrastructure.
Trump Says Tehran Wants a Deal
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Iran was eager to reach an agreement with the United States, while adding that Washington would decide whether to engage in negotiations.
Trump described Iran as a “failing nation” and said the US remained open to the possibility of talks.
However, Trump’s assessment that Tehran is seeking a deal has not been independently established as a formal negotiating position by Iran.
Oil Prices Could Fall After Conflict, Trump Says
Trump has repeatedly argued that oil prices will fall substantially once the conflict with Iran ends.
He has previously said crude and fuel prices could “drop like a rock” after the war, linking the elevated energy costs to disruptions caused by the conflict.
The latest comments come at a time when oil prices are moving in the opposite direction because of renewed concerns over supply.
Brent Crude Above $100
Brent crude recently moved above $100 a barrel, with prices climbing further after attacks disrupted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline.
Reuters reported Brent at around $106.93 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate was around $102.65, as markets reacted to concerns about Middle East supply routes.
The Saudi pipeline is an important alternative route for transporting crude to the Red Sea when shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.
Strait of Hormuz Remains a Major Risk
The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the energy crisis.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, and restrictions or attacks affecting vessel traffic can quickly push crude prices higher.
Iran has imposed its own transit protocols in the strait, while the US has continued efforts to maintain the movement of petroleum cargoes.
Regional Conflict Adds to Supply Concerns
The latest oil-price pressure has also been intensified by fighting involving Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen.
Houthi attacks on Saudi targets and advances around the Red Sea have raised concerns about another important energy corridor, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The shutdown of Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline has added another layer of uncertainty for global oil markets.
Diplomatic Talks Face Delays
Trump’s comments came as a planned meeting involving Iran and Gulf Arab states was postponed.
The talks were expected to address negotiations and efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but the postponement highlighted the difficulty of achieving a diplomatic breakthrough while military tensions remain high.
Markets Watching for Signs of De-escalation
Any credible progress towards a US-Iran agreement could potentially reduce the geopolitical risk premium in crude prices.
However, analysts continue to warn that oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments involving shipping routes, pipelines and regional military activity.
Trump Links War, Oil and Nuclear Issue
Trump has also continued to defend the US military campaign by arguing that it prevented Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
His latest comments combine that claim with a message that an end to the conflict could bring relief to consumers facing higher fuel and energy costs.
What Happens Next
For oil prices to fall sharply, markets would likely need clearer evidence of sustained de-escalation, restoration of reliable shipping through key waterways and recovery of disrupted supply routes.
For now, those conditions remain uncertain, meaning crude prices could remain volatile even as Trump signals a possible diplomatic opening.