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“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,” Trump posted on social media.

Iran has escalated its attacks aimed at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the U.S. and Israel to end the war, targeting oil fields and refineries in a handful of Gulf Arab nations.

Prices of fuels like diesel and jet fuel are surging as refineries in the region reduce production or shut completely, while fuel makers elsewhere balk at high crude prices.

Iran has effectively stopped cargo traffic in the Strait of Hormuz through which about a fifth of all oil is shipped. It has also targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations.

With a key shipping route cut off, oil prices have surged — from less than $70 a barrel on Feb. 27 to nearly $120 early March 9 before settling closer to $90. They’ve taken diesel and gasoline prices with them.

Nearly all goods — including food — that are bought and sold must travel from where they’re produced. Those costs will climb with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices.

Disruptions to crude oil supplies wrought by the Middle East conflict are boosting the appeal of crop-based biofuels, lifting demand for vegetable oils and corn.

The war is showing no signs of abating after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran more than a week ago, and the fallout is stoking fears of an inflation crisis. The halt to shipping through Hormuz has driven up fuel prices.

The Trump administration announced a $20 billion reinsurance program aimed at reviving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has all but stopped amid the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. 

U.S. oil posted the biggest weekly gain on record as the war in Iran upends critical energy market flows, with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz at a near-total halt.