US President Donald Trump has renewed his prediction that the war with Iran will end rapidly, suggesting a resolution could come as the November midterm elections approach and promising a sharp decline in oil prices once the conflict ends.
Speaking at a campaign rally in North Carolina on Tuesday, Trump said the war would conclude very quickly, one way or another, although he stopped short of providing a specific timetable.
The president insisted that the economic costs of the conflict were justified by Washington’s objective of preventing Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Trump described the financial burden on Americans as a relatively small price to pay to prevent what he called the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
He also accused Iran of deliberately seeking to prolong the conflict beyond the US congressional elections scheduled for November 3.
According to Trump, Iranian leaders hope to keep the war going until after the vote, potentially increasing political pressure on his administration and Republican candidates.
However, he maintained that the conflict would end rapidly, reiterating his expectation that global oil prices would fall sharply once hostilities ceased.
The remarks come as the prolonged confrontation with Iran continues to affect global energy markets, with disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz contributing to higher fuel costs.
Rising gasoline prices have emerged as a significant political challenge for Republicans ahead of the midterms, as voters express growing concern over living expenses and the economic consequences of the war.
Trump has repeatedly predicted that the conflict will end soon, but his latest remarks offered no indication of a negotiated settlement or a confirmed timetable for ending hostilities.
