Trump reportedly warned that Iran conflict could last beyond his presidency

US President Donald Trump has stated that the Iran war will not conclude until after the November midterm elections, predicting that oil prices will not decrease until after that date. "I think the war’s going to end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer," Trump remarked on Wednesday. His remarks come as he travels to Texas for the party's first convention ahead of the midterms, a time when the balance of power in the US government could shift.

Trump is under increasing pressure from within his Republican Party and facing declining poll numbers to bring an end to the conflict with Iran. On Wednesday, oil prices surged to $100 (£74) for the first time since July, fueled by heightened hostilities in the Middle East. "Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward," Trump told reporters.

"I believe it will take a little longer than the midterm." He added that Iran is "desperate to try and influence the election, so we can get a weak group of people in there" – an apparent reference to the Democrats – "and let them have their nuclear weapon." Tehran has consistently denied attempting to acquire nuclear weapons. Trump also hinted at the possibility of further negotiations with Iran, though "it's not something we're looking at."

The US president initially projected the war, now in its seventh month, would only last a few weeks. The ongoing conflict, with its wide-ranging impacts from gas to groceries, has contributed to a significant drop in his approval ratings. Recent days have seen an escalation in fighting in the Middle East, as oil facilities across the region face attacks, pushing up the global price of fuel and any goods requiring transportation.

On Wednesday, the US military claimed to have targeted five oil tanker ships linked to Iran. Tehran responded by striking two US Navy destroyers and eight oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, causing "significant damage" to the vessels, according to Iranian state media. The day prior, the Iran-linked Houthis in Yemen launched a series of attacks on Saudi Arabia, igniting fires at oil facilities.

The ongoing conflict, which reignited after a 60-day ceasefire between the US and Iran officially ended last month, has raised concerns that surging fuel costs could lead to higher interest rates in the US.