'We do not take sides in distant conflicts'- Premier Wheatley

- said VI continues to monitor situation in Middle East & its effects on global fuel prices, shipping costs & cost of essential goods

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Referring to the ongoing war in the Middle East, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has said the Virgin Islands does not take sides in distant conflicts. Photo: VINO

Explosions erupt following strikes at Tehran Oil Refinery in Tehran on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Photo: Atta Kenare/AFP/Getty Images

Rescue workers and residents search through the rubble in the aftermath of a US-Israeli strike on a girls' elementary school in Minab, Iran, on February 28. Photo: Abbas Zakeri/Mehr News Agency/AP

ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Referring to the ongoing war in the Middle East, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) has stated his position on the conflict.

"Let me say, first, that the Virgin Islands is a peaceful and stable Territory. We do not take sides in distant conflicts. As a Government, our responsibility is to safeguard the welfare of our people," Premier Wheatley said at a press conference on Friday, March 6, 2026.

The US-Iran war, initiated by joint US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, in an operation called ‘Operation Fury’, has rapidly escalated into a regional conflict with significant casualties, including the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and six US service members.

Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel, US military bases, and Gulf states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Key US bases, such as Al Udeid in Qatar and Al-Salem in Kuwait, were struck, resulting in six US service member deaths and multiple injuries.

Iran’s attacks have hit civilian infrastructure, including oil refineries and airports. The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed, disrupting roughly 20% of global oil exports and causing oil prices to spike.

VI 'closely monitoring' situation

Premier Wheatley, who has already confirmed that fuel prices will most likely increase in the Virgin Islands due to ongoing global tensions, said his government has a keen eye on the effects of the conflict.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and its effects on global fuel prices, shipping costs, and the cost of essential goods."

The Premier also said his government has convened technical working groups and is engaging with fuel importers, the BVI Electricity Corporation, and the business community to continually assess the immediate and foreseeable risks and identify practical measures to cushion the impact on households and businesses.

"Simultaneously, we are also accelerating our investment in renewable energy to reduce our long-term dependence on imported fuel. We will provide regular updates as the situation develops, and we urge our people to remain calm and vigilant," Premier Wheatley said.

10 Responses to “'We do not take sides in distant conflicts'- Premier Wheatley”

FACIAL EXPRESSION (08/03/2026, 11:05) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
Master WEATIE , Is saying )> I have made myself clear , am not , do not & will not get involved with anything inside the territory or outside the territory , because we are a peaceful and stable territory, soon yo be independent (•¿•)
Choose This Day Whom Thou Will Serve (08/03/2026, 11:28) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
Because thou are neither hot nor cold I will spew you out of my mouth....what is taking place is a spiritual conflict it goes beyond the killing of flesh and blood our leaders should be able to recognize this and inform and guide the people accordingly but obviously we have lost our way we have sold our birth right for a mess of pottage. We always talking about when Jesus comes back he is here now but we are too blind deaf and dumb we have become dry bones totally devoid of spirit just chaff blowing in the wind a danger to ourselves and our people. It is out of this conflict that the restoration of the downtrodden of the earth will take place a new order built on justice and equality and obedience to the commandments of the creator.....without vision the people perish. If you are perceived as clueless no one will take you seriously in international circles they will talk over your head and talk down to you. The Virgin Islands are mixed up in the middle of this crisis...in international circles its being termed Epstein's war. Bob Marley say who the cap fit let them wear it...you and Bryan are fighting for it don't worry I am going to make one marked MAKE ISRAEL PALESTINE AGAIN.
Xxx (08/03/2026, 12:44) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
Very not? Leadership means standing up against injustice and oppression
Coward (08/03/2026, 14:36) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
Coward - ALL 13 MUST GO
TRUTH TELLER (08/03/2026, 16:23) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
we...peaceful and stable territory, he said. This man believes that his own lies are True. This war was in the making for years, but he was distracted by selfish ambitions and other illutionary dreams that benefit the majority of the people of the British Virgin Islands not, but rather increase hardship especially on low income miniimum workers, while he, his other cabinet members and cronies can hopefully mostlikely weather on oncoming high intensity of the storms of war both overseas and here in the B.V.I.
Rubber Duck (08/03/2026, 19:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
He took the side of Guyana when Venezuela was messing with them such a hypocrite because he is afraid of trump
Big Richard (08/03/2026, 20:29) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
Way over his head. Doesn’t know whats going on.
slope 2 (09/03/2026, 04:15) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
Global conflicts often have economic impacts far beyond the region where they occur. Monitoring fuel prices, shipping costs, and supply chains seems like a responsible step for the government.
Takes courage . Speak the truth (09/03/2026, 07:29) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
Israel is the problem, being the problem for more than 60 yrs. Stole the people land, turn around when they talk about it and ask for their lands back, see it fit to kill them all...It's the two super power 90 yrs ago Decided to give this Survivors of hittler's rage these lands for their asylum in 1943 - 1945. .Hence the City became Jerusalem, Don't understand why the leaders who know the truth afraid to speak the truth, especially an historian like our Premier.
- Wrong (09/03/2026, 09:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
  Islamists are the problem, everywhere they go BIG problems, UK, All OF Europe. They cant get along with each other let alone themselves. The Jewish people were there a thousand years before islam was even created. All other Middle East countries are against Iran who's leader has killed more Iranian people since October 7th than since the war between Israel and hamas. Antisemitisms is rampant in Gaza.

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'We do not take sides in distant conflicts'- Premier Wheatley

10 Responses to “'We do not take sides in distant conflicts'- Premier Wheatley”

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