Oil Prices Surge as Trump Considers Using ‘Mother of All Bombs’
WASHINGTON: Oil prices surged on Thursday following a report revealing that President Donald Trump and Israel were drawing up plans to launch fresh strikes against Iran after the United States (US) midterm elections.
Brent crude oil prices rose 2.68 per cent to US$111.74 (RM456) per barrel. Trump now has just 12 days remaining before the midterm elections as he seeks to bring down fuel prices.
The sharp increase in petrol prices has further driven up the cost of living, raising concerns among Republicans over the possibility of losing their majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate in less than two weeks.
US and Israeli military commanders are planning a short but intense operation targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, energy infrastructure, missile arsenals and drones, the New York Times reported.
Trump has also proposed using the 9,979-kilogram GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast bomb, commonly known as the “Mother of All Bombs”, against Mount Pickaxe, a nuclear facility located deep beneath layers of granite rock.
Officials said the president was particularly fascinated by the weapon, partly because of its nickname.
Some US military planners believe that three days of sustained strikes could further cripple Iran’s already weakened economy, potentially forcing Tehran to concede on its nuclear programme after nearly eight months of war.
Trump pledged earlier this month that he would not launch any strikes before the elections.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Israel this week to discuss plans for the renewed offensive with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
However, there is no guarantee that the strikes will proceed, as Trump has repeatedly called off new military operations, including at the last minute earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Tehran has vowed a powerful response, threatening to expand its targets beyond oil tankers and petroleum facilities to include data centres and undersea internet cables.
“Our attacks will be more devastating, creative and different,” warned Mahdi Mohammadi, a senior adviser to Iran’s chief negotiator.
Agencies