On the evening of April 1, U.S. President Donald Trump delivered a nationally televised address regarding the “epic retaliatory actions” against Iran, sending a dual signal that was both seemingly contradictory and highly impactful.
At the start of his speech, Trump signaled to the American public that the conflict was approaching its end. He stated clearly:
“The United States does not need to be there. We no longer need Middle East oil. The war is over.”
He emphasized that the U.S. has achieved energy independence, and that the primary objective of the military action was to neutralize Iran’s threats rather than maintain a long-term occupation.
Just two minutes later, Trump showcased a strong finishing stance. He declared that the U.S. would deliver extremely severe strikes on Iran within the next two weeks, potentially setting them back to the Stone Age. Additionally, he urged other nations dependent on Middle Eastern oil to secure and protect their own waterways, indicating that U.S. forces would no longer guarantee navigation safety in the region.
Following Trump’s remarks and the escalation in the Middle East, London insurance markets and major global shipping mutual associations have sharply raised war-risk premiums for the region. Brent crude oil prices surged over 5%, while shipping insurance costs and rerouting expenses are increasingly impacting Asia-Europe trade routes.
