President Donald Trump declined to guarantee that Iran would not use revenue from oil sales to rebuild its military capabilities following the recent conflict with the U.S. and Israel.
When pressed on the issue, the president offered a non-committal response, signaling that the administration is not prepared to rule out the possibility of Tehran leveraging energy exports for defense spending.
The remarks come as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent authorized the import of Iranian oil and refined products into the United States through at least August.
The waiver creates a direct channel for Iranian crude to reach U.S. markets, potentially easing supply constraints while simultaneously generating revenue for Tehran.
This policy move stands in tension with broader security objectives aimed at limiting Iran’s military resurgence.
Markets are likely to scrutinize the implications of this dual-track approach.