U.S. will 'make a lot of money' from high oil price, Trump says, amid criticism

U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States stood to make significant money from oil prices driven higher by the war with Iran, prompting criticism from some lawmakers who accused him of caring only about rich people.

Oil prices jumped more than 9% to $100 a barrel as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran widened. Two crude tankers blazed in an Iraqi port after a hit by suspected Iranian explosive-laden boats, while scores of other oil-laden ships remained stranded with the Strait of Hormuz shuttered.

Trump, a Republican, wrote on social media: "The United States is the largest Oil Producer in the World, by far, so when oil prices go up, we make a lot of money." But stopping Iran from having nuclear weapons was far more important, he said.