<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated on Sunday that President Donald Trump believed that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was worth the risk of short-term energy price increases prior to the decision to strike Iran in February.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">While speaking with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation, Wright mentioned that gas prices are expected to decrease in the coming months. He refrained from commenting on whether Trump might resume military action following the midterm elections in November. Wright provided insight into Trump's decision-making process before the strike on Iran, indicating that the president was willing to sacrifice political standing to prevent Iran from becoming nuclear-armed.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">"If his decisions were political he would have just kicked the can down the road and delivered a nuclear-armed Iran to the next president," Wright said. "You’ve got to respect that. That’s an incredible move to lean in and say, ‘I’m not going to let them become nuclear-armed.’ He knew it was going to elevate energy prices in the short run. He said, ‘I’m going to take a hit there, but I got to do the right thing.'"</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Wright confirmed that Trump was aware of the potential risks to energy flows from the Persian Gulf region, stating, "He said, ‘I simply cannot. The world cannot sustain a nuclear-armed Iran, and I’m not going to do it.'"</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Wright's acknowledgment that Trump understood the implications of initiating military conflict with Iran on global energy prices comes about a month before the midterm elections. Trump's approval rating has declined throughout his second term, attributed largely to the administration's challenges in addressing inflation that began under former President Joe Biden. Despite this, many believe Trump's campaign for the 2024 presidential election focuses on reducing the cost of living, as high domestic prices have been a significant concern for voters.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Republican candidates aiming to maintain control of Congress in November are looking to leverage culturally unpopular positions held by some Democrats as a potential advantage. Figures such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul el Sayed have been seen as preventing the Democratic Party from moderating after its 2024 loss to Trump, which has caused frustration among more centrist lawmakers and Democratic figures.</p>