Mubasher: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he ordered the Treasury Department to “substantially increase” sanctions against Iran, according to CNBC.

“I have just instructed the Secretary of the Treasury to substantially increase Sanctions on the country of Iran!” President Trump said via Twitter.

It remains unclear what measures Trump directed Secretary Mnuchin to take.

Trump’s announcement came in the middle of strained tensions in the Middle East, after attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil sites over the weekend, which sent crude oil prices soaring.

The president on Sunday pointed the finger at Iran, saying that the US was “locked and loaded” to respond the attacks, raising the prospects of a military action in the region. However, he struck a softer tone, dismissing any intention of seeking a war.

Trump on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani at the UN General Assembly in New York next week.

“I don’t think they’re ready yet, but I’d prefer not meeting him,” Trump said.