Trump Says Iran Ready to Deal, Oil Prices Tumble

Crude oil futures fell more than 1% on Wednesday, after President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate over its nuclear program after six days of Israeli airstrikes.

U.S. crude oil futures fell 91 cents, or 1.22%, to $73.93 a barrel by noon EDT Wednesday, while global benchmark Brent was down $1.09, or 1.43%, to $75.36 per barrel.

Trump told reporters outside the White House Wednesday that the Iranians had reached out to him and suggested that they send a delegation to the White House to negotiate.

“They want to negotiate,” Trump said. “They even suggested that they come to the White House. That’s courageous. It’s like not easy for them to do.”

The president confirmed Wednesday that he was considering a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, though he indicated that no final decision had been made.

Trump’s comments Wednesday seemed like a shift in tone from his threats against Iran a day ago on his social media platform Truth Social. The president called for Iran’s unconditional surrender on Tuesday and threatened its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning him that he is an “easy target” and U.S. patience was wearing thin.

Khamenei was defiant Wednesday, warning the U.S. of “irreparable damage” if it joined Israel’s air campaign.