Trump says Iran war is 'small potatoes' for US

Washington: President Donald Trump expressed on Friday that the ongoing war with Iran was a trivial matter for the United States, in an attempt to downplay the conflict ahead of the important midterm elections. His remarks came a day after Vice President Kamala Harris stated that she wouldn't characterize the ongoing clash between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz as a war, instead calling it a military conflict, as it is considered minor for the US.

Trump discussed Vance's remarks at the Oval Office during an interview with reporters when asked about the Vice President's comments. He reiterated that it was a minor issue, stating that they had already dealt with Venezuela and this situation as well. Trump was surrounded by cattle ranchers who were invited for the signing of two executive orders on beef processing.

The six-month-long war has resulted in the death of 18 American troops and thousands of Iranians. The conflict has reached a stalemate, with Iran disrupting shipping traffic in the strategic waterway. However, with fuel prices potentially costing Trump's Republicans control of Congress in the November midterms, his administration has been attempting to minimize the severity of the conflict.

Trump claimed that the US was conducting intermittent strikes but stated that they were not currently engaged in a fight. He reiterated his claims that the US had control over the Strait of Hormuz and had effectively neutralized Iran's military, saying, "What we've done is amazing. We took over Venezuela and we have essentially taken over Iran."