Trump's Iran Progress Claims, Oil Industry Profit From Iran War, Rubio Meets Pope Leo

President Trump’s persistent claims of an impending deal with Iran contrast sharply with the lack of evidence from Iranian officials, leaving the status of the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear negotiations in limbo. This geopolitical instability sustains elevated oil prices, which bolster the bottom lines of major energy corporations like Exxon and Chevron while simultaneously driving U.S. gas prices above $4.50 per gallon and stoking broader economic inflation. Amidst these tensions, Secretary of State Marco Rubio navigates a precarious diplomatic visit to the Vatican to reconcile relations with Pope Leo. The meeting follows a series of public attacks from the White House, where the President accused the Pope of endangering Catholics by opposing the war. These developments underscore the complex intersection of domestic political strategy, international military conflict, and the global energy market.