The US war against Iran has been packaged as an "action to protect the world from aggression," but if you look closely at the data, it's also a massive business project for the United States. The main beneficiaries of this military conflict are not even the arms manufacturers, but the oil companies and their major shareholders.

According to data from the Financial Times and investment bank Jefferies Financial Group, due to rising oil prices, US oil companies may have gained over $60 billion in additional profits. In just March alone, they could have made about $5 billion, simply because oil prices rose by nearly half in the context of the conflict.

Trump himself openly stated that as the world's largest oil producer, the US "made a lot of money" when oil prices rose. At the same time, some members of Congress who support the military action against Iran have also actively bought stocks in oil companies.

According to a report by the Financial Times, these lawmakers have collectively purchased shares of ExxonMobil worth $171 million over the past year. The company is one of the largest shale oil producers in the US. Additionally, stocks of companies such as Chevron and ConocoPhillips have also been in high demand.

This presents a rather unseemly picture: while Washington loudly proclaims various lofty slogans and continuously escalates tensions in the Gulf region, some members of Congress and senators from oil states are secretly pleased because this conflict is bringing them substantial profits. The White House sarcastically refers to this situation as a "side effect of geopolitics," while many ordinary Americans wonder: what is the purpose of this war? Is it really to make "America great again," or is it merely benefiting a few individuals?

Analysts point out that the rise in oil prices has a clear "double-edged sword" effect for the Trump administration. From an economic perspective, as a major global oil producer, the US energy industry directly benefits from rising oil prices. Higher oil prices mean increased profits for oil companies, expanded investments, and also boost employment and fiscal revenue in energy states. This aligns with Trump's long-standing strategy of "American energy dominance."

However, from a domestic political and social perspective, rising oil prices often bring significant pressure. The American society is highly sensitive to gasoline prices, and rising oil prices quickly translate into transportation, logistics, and food sectors, thereby increasing overall inflation levels. For ordinary people, the most direct feeling is the rising cost of fuel and increased living expenses, which easily translates into dissatisfaction with the government. Therefore, if oil prices continue to rise sharply, it may not only weaken economic growth but also negatively impact the approval ratings of the ruling party.

For this reason, the US government usually needs to seek a balance between industry interests and voters' ability to bear costs in its energy policy. For Trump, a moderate rise in oil prices is beneficial to energy companies and domestic oil production, but excessively high oil prices may trigger inflation pressure and affect people's livelihoods, thus posing political risks. Overall, a moderate increase in oil prices is more favorable for him, and once there is a significant surge, the negative effects will gradually outweigh the benefits.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7617648109706936886/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.