Trump says Iran war will end "immediately after" midterm elections

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump stated that the war with Iran would cease "immediately" following the US midterm elections, linking the conflict's end to the November 3 vote. Addressing reporters while traveling to a Republican convention in Dallas, Texas, Trump predicted that falling energy prices would accompany the war's conclusion.

He attributed Iran's attempt to prolong the conflict to their desire to maintain high fuel prices pre-election. The President claimed Tehran hoped to prolong the war, adding that oil prices would decline sharply post-election. This marks a departure from his initial expectation of the conflict lasting only a few weeks upon its launch alongside Israel on February 28.

Iran's control of the Strait of Hormuz, which once facilitated a fifth of global fuel supply, has emerged as the central issue in the ongoing dispute. When questioned about the reason for the war's end post-election, Trump stated Iran's leaders were "desperate" to sway the election results. He also indicated that the US was no longer pursuing a negotiated settlement, yet left the door open for future talks.

Oil prices surged during the conflict; Brent crude reached above $100 a barrel for the first time in six weeks due to ongoing fighting and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. Rising energy and living costs are a significant economic concern for Americans ahead of the midterms, which hold the potential to reshape Congress. Trump campaigned on pledges of reduced costs and frequently blamed inflation on his predecessor, Joe Biden.

His management of the economy and the Iran war have affected his approval ratings, which now stand around 33%, according to recent polls. Regarding potential UK sanctions on Israeli businesses and settlers, Trump did not criticize the measures announced concurrently with France and Canada. He expressed a desire to understand the rationale behind the sanctions by speaking with Israel.

The US has thus far refrained from implementing comparable trade restrictions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Tuesday that Washington was not aiming to destabilize the West Bank.