Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday that Russia may enjoy a short-term windfall from surging oil prices during the Iran war, but argued that a deeper blow to Tehran would ultimately hurt President Vladimir Putin’s broader ambitions.
Pompeo Says Russia’s Gain Won’t Last
On X, Pompeo wrote, “Russia might be benefiting from higher oil prices – for a bit. But when the US topples the Islamic Republic’s capabilities, it will seriously damage Putin’s geopolitical project.”
Pompeo added that the only people “rooting against” the United States were “Putin, Xi, the Mullahs, & Tucker Carlson,” and said Washington “must get this right.”
Oil Spike Revives Moscow Windfall Fears
His post came as oil markets whipsawed after crude briefly climbed to about $119 a barrel, the highest since 2022, before retreating by more than 10% on hopes of de-escalation. At the time of writing, WTI Crude April 26 futures had slid 10.37% to $84.94 per barrel, sharply pulling oil prices lower.
Pompeo’s post also referenced an Associated Press report on Monday that revived concerns that Russia could profit from higher oil export revenues even while staying largely on the sidelines militarily. The report described Moscow’s restrained response to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, saying the Kremlin condemned the strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei but offered no direct military help, even as the crisis diverted attention from Ukraine and lifted oil prices in ways that could aid Russia’s war finances.
Putin Views Hardened After Ukraine War
Pompeo’s views on Putin over the years have evolved from recognizing him as a “shrewd” and “capable” adversary to labeling him a “dictator” and “thug” following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In a December social media post, he said the way the United States handles Russia-Ukraine peace talks could shape American power and alliances “for decades to come,” and warned that a settlement seen as a Russian victory would severely damage U.S. interests.
As CIA director and secretary of state, in 2016, he also backed intelligence findings that Moscow interfered in U.S. elections and said such conduct was “unacceptable” and “not appropriate” in meetings with Russian officials.
Photo Courtesy: Lev Radin on Shutterstock.com
Recent Comments