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United States President Donald Trump said on Thursday that “stopping an evil empire Iran” from getting nuclear weapons was of “greater interest and importance” to him than stopping the rise of global oil prices.

The US is the largest oil producer in the world and “makes a lot of money” when oil prices increase, Trump said on social media.

“But, of far greater interest and importance to me, as president, is stopping an evil empire, Iran, from having nuclear weapons, and destroying the Middle East and, indeed, the world,” he added. “I won’t ever let that happen!”

Here are more top updates from the conflict in West Asia:

• Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, in his first televised address, said that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed to pressure Tehran’s opponents, Al Jazeera reported. About 20% of global oil passes through the maritime chokepoint. He said that Iran believes in friendship with its neighbours and reiterated that it was only targeting the US bases. All US bases in the region should be immediately closed, he was quoted as having added.
• The United Nations refugee agency on Thursday said that up to 3.2 million people have been displaced within Iran since the conflict in West Asia began. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees warned that the...

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