President Donald Trump said he expects the war with Iran to end “immediately” after the November midterm elections, claiming Tehran is trying to influence the vote by prolonging the conflict.
Trump, 80, made the comments to reporters at Joint Base Andrews Wednesday before boarding the new Qatari-gifted Air Force One for Dallas, where he is attending the Republican Party’s first national midterm convention. His departure was delayed after an emergency slide deployed on the aircraft and had to be checked before he boarded.
“I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can't hold out any longer,” Trump told reporters. “They're desperate to try and affect the election, so that we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon.”
Polling has shown America is not thrilled with the war, and its approval ratings have dropped as it has dragged on. The figures could hurt Republicans at the polls in the midterm elections if it continues to drag on and America disapproves. A recent NBC News poll found just 31 percent of Americans approve of his handling of the war.
Trump also argued that Iran’s goal is to obtain a nuclear weapon, warning of the consequences if Tehran, the capital of Iran, were to acquire one.
“All they want is a nuclear weapon, and if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble,” he added.
The president did not provide a specific reason for why he believes Iran will end the conflict immediately after the election. He has previously said the U.S. military operation would not become a prolonged war.
On Friday, Trump said the conflict with Iran was “small potatoes” and defended Vice President JD Vance’s description of the fighting as not a “war.” Vance said Thursday that there was no active shooting at the time, despite ongoing tensions and recent Iranian attacks.
Trump’s latest comments came as the conflict entered its seventh month and fighting around the Strait of Hormuz intensified.
Iran said Wednesday it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. sank five Iranian tankers, escalating tensions and sending oil prices above $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
The increase has contributed to higher gasoline and diesel prices in the U.S., adding to concerns about inflation and household costs.
Trump said Wednesday that he expects oil prices to fall after the midterms, once the war ends. He also acknowledged that negotiations with Iran remain possible, although he said diplomacy is not currently something his administration is pursuing.
“Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump said, the Associated Press reported. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterm.
The comments come as Republicans gather in Dallas for the two-day midterm convention, which is focused heavily on Trump and his record ahead of the November 3 elections. Trump is scheduled to speak at the convention, along with Vance and other Republican leaders.
The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.
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