The Globe and Mail reports in its Monday edition that U.S. President Donald Trump's statements about the Iran conflict can significantly impact oil prices. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that while prices have sometimes fluctuated sharply in response to his comments, there is now more skepticism about his claims of a quick resolution. This hesitance, coupled with ongoing fighting in the Persian Gulf and a blockade on oil tankers, is influencing traders' decisions. Kobeissi Letter editor Adam Kobeissi says Iran's main leverage is oil prices, "As long as prices continue to push higher, President Trump will continue to hedge this military campaign by putting out these headlines to try and contain the market." Oil futures are not responding to the same degree as they once did to statements by the President. The price of oil is once again about where it was before Mr. Trump announced negotiations with Iran and the pause in strikes two weeks ago. It closed at $109 (U.S.) a barrel on Thursday, up more than 50 per cent since the war's start. For U.S. gasoline prices, that has translated to a jump to $4.10 (U.S.) a gallon on Saturday, from $2.98 (U.S.) a gallon before the war, per the AAA national average.