Donald Trump says the Iran war could continue until after November’s midterms, as soaring oil prices and economic pressure increase political risks, reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump has said he expects the Iran war to continue until after the November midterm elections, as rising oil prices and economic pressure fuel political concerns for his administration.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday while travelling to Texas, Trump said he believed Tehran could no longer sustain the conflict and would be forced to end it after the election.
“I think the war’s going to end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” he said.
Trump also predicted oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ended, saying they would be “tumbling downward” after the midterm vote.
The president claimed Iran was seeking to influence the US election by helping Democrats, but offered no evidence for the allegation. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons.
At a Republican midterm convention in Texas, Trump argued that the economic costs of the conflict were necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He acknowledged that some Americans were concerned about higher petrol prices and the wider impact of the war.
The conflict has contributed to rising energy costs, with oil reaching $100 a barrel on Wednesday, its highest level since July. US diesel prices have also reached a record high.
The war is now in its seventh month, despite Trump’s earlier prediction that it would last only weeks. Fighting has intensified around key energy infrastructure and the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns over global fuel prices and inflation.
The November 3 elections will determine control of Congress, with Republicans facing the possibility of losing seats amid falling approval ratings and growing pressure within the party to bring the conflict to an end.
