Iran’s attacks recently crippled Saudi Arabia’s oil fields and sent shockwaves around the world as prices begin to skyrocket. Fortunately for Americans, President Donald Trump’s energy independence policy won’t result in shortages or crazy inflated prices at the gas pump.
Early reports indicated the Saudi oil fields were hit by Iran-linked drone attacks coming out of Yemen. The rogue regime is a well-known sponsor of terror and continues to fund Yemen rebels and terror groups who assault the increasing moderate governance of Saudi Arabia.
U.S. satellites immediately identified Iran-funded drones striking Saudi oil production and setting facilities ablaze. The American ally was forced to shut down its oil production for fear of additional damage.
The disruption ranks as the world’s largest in history as Saudi Arabia pushes out 5.7 million barrels per day, upwards of 5 percent of total global production. The previous highest shutdown reportedly topped the 5.6 million barrel-mark and was caused by Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Iran’s extremist civil war resulted in the American energy crisis that forced long lines at the pump and escalating prices during the Carter Administration. At the time, the U.S. was heavily dependent on foreign oil, including OPEC. Iran, an OPEC member, was instrumental in cutting America off from inexpensive crude oil. The result drove the U.S. into recession. Thankfully, the Trump Administration has ended such an enemy state’s ability to hold our economy hostage.
The America First policies that Democrats vehemently oppose have already surpassed energy independence. The U.S. passed that benchmark and is currently the world’s top oil-producing nation. The distinction has been absent from the economic landscape for more than half a century.
“Because we have done so well with Energy over the last few years (thank you, Mr. President!), we are a net Energy Exporter, & now the Number One Energy Producer in the World,” Pres. Trump tweeted. “We don’t need Middle Eastern Oil & Gas, & in fact have very few tankers there, but will help our Allies!”
Today, the U.S. produces enough petroleum products to meet the nation’s needs and exports its surplus. The production rate reportedly crossed a record level in 2018 and has climbed as high as 12.2 million barrels daily and rising.
Production improved by more than 17 percent last year alone and the country consumes approximately 7.5 million barrels of petroleum products daily. Had Hillary won the 2016 elections, the country would be plummeting into recession at this very moment.
In a lateral move to curb the price increases at the pump and home heating oil as winter nears, the Trump Administration announced a willingness to tap into the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve “if needed.” The reserve currently enjoys 695 million barrels of crude, enough to cover American needs for upwards of 143 days.
But the issue appears more far-reaching than just a supply and demand speed bump. Iran’s aggressive actions against oil tankers in the region independent American-friendly nations may have crossed the line. Emerging reports indicate that the Islamic extremists may have directly launched missiles at Saudi Arabia’s oil production facilities.
“The investigation is continuing, and all indications are that weapons used in both attacks came from Iran,” Saudi Col. Turki al-Maliki reportedly said.
President Trump has gone on the record stating the U.S. is fully prepared to deal with the radical regime.
“Saudi Arabia’s oil supply was attacked,” Pres. Trump tweeted. “There is reason to believe that we know the culprit, we are locked and loaded depending on verification, but are waiting to hear from the Kingdom as to who they believe was the cause of this attack, and under what terms we would proceed!”
World leaders are rallying to back Saudi Arabia, condemn Iran, and take strategic measures to hold the rogue leaders accountable. In London, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has indicated a willingness to strike back as well.
“I want to have a very clear picture, which we will be having shortly. It’s a very serious, an outrageous act, and we need to have a clear and as united as possible international response to it,” Raab reportedly said.
During previous administrations, the stoppage would have created a crisis in the U.S. making heating oil unaffordable for low-income families, caused a sharp escalation of gas prices, driven inflation, and potentially another recession.
But the proactive America First policies by the Trump Administration have succeeded in protecting the U.S. economy from terrorist actions half-way around the world. If the criminal acts of Iran proved anything, it’s that America is Great Again!
