WASHINGTON:  US President Donald Trump said in a social media on Saturday that oil tankers “are heading, right now, to the United States to load up with the best and sweetest’ oil (and gas!) anywhere in the World.”

The Iran war has led to Iranians effectively shuttering the Strait of Hormuz through which 20 per cent of the world’s oil supplies gets shipped. That has pushed up energy prices and given Iran a key point of leverage in negotiations with the US.

But Trump argues that the US can serve as an alternative source of oil and natural gas, though increased demand for American energy products could further push up prices for consumers unless there is more domestic production. (AP)