Trump Threatens to Probe Oil Companies If Gas Stays Above $3.90, Insists Iran Agreed to Nuclear Inspections
Gas prices are still hovering above $3.90 a gallon, and President Donald Trump is threatening to launch an investigation into oil companies, claiming they aren't passing on savings from his Iran peace deal to drivers. At the same time, Trump insists Iran has agreed to the "highest level" of nuclear inspections, but Tehran is publicly denying any such commitment, deepening confusion over what the two sides actually agreed to.
President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to investigate oil companies for keeping gasoline prices high, complaining that pump costs have not dropped enough since his administration reached a preliminary agreement with Iran. "If gas stays above $3.90, we are going to look very seriously at the oil companies," Trump said, according to reports [180649]. The average national price remains above that threshold, frustrating the president who has touted his Iran deal as a win for American consumers [180649].
Meanwhile, conflicting statements continue to cloud the actual terms of the U.S.-Iran agreement. Trump posted on social media that Iran had "fully and completely agreed to highest level Nuclear inspections long into the future (Infinity!!!)" [180094]. But Iranian officials immediately disputed the claim. The Iranian foreign ministry stated it made "no new commitments" regarding nuclear inspections following talks in Switzerland, directly contradicting comments by U.S. official JD Vance [180008]. Iran also announced it has no plan to allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to visit its damaged nuclear facilities, raising new concerns about transparency [179572].
The standoff over inspections is just one of several flashpoints threatening the fragile negotiations. Iran has suggested it may still charge fees for services in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. Trump warned that such a move would end the talks entirely, saying the fee threat "could end Strait negotiations" [180633]. The strait is a critical chokepoint where roughly one-fifth of the world's petroleum passes [180633].
On Capitol Hill, bipartisan frustration with the administration's handling of the conflict is boiling over. The Senate voted to pass a measure ordering Trump to stop military action against Iran unless Congress gives approval, a direct challenge to the president's war powers [180246][180611]. The vote reflects growing concern among lawmakers from both parties over the lack of a clear end to military engagement in the region [180209].
Republican senators are also demanding more details on the deal's financial terms. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, warned that a proposed $300 billion fund to rebuild Iran's economy would make the 2015 Iran nuclear deal "look like a pittance" [176243]. Trump has denied that such a fund exists, calling it "fake news" and insisting the U.S. will not contribute [175109][176243]. But several GOP lawmakers remain skeptical, with Senator Ted Cruz calling the plan "an exceptionally bad idea" that would give billions to "theocratic lunatics who want to kill you" [176243].