US President Donald Trump stated that he expects the war between the United States and Iran to end “immediately” following November’s midterm elections.
Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday, Setember 9 before departing for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Trump argued that Iranian authorities are attempting to influence the outcome of the upcoming elections.
“I think the war is going to end immediately after the election,” Trump said. “They can’t hold out any longer. 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.”
When asked whether formal diplomatic negotiations with Tehran could resume, Trump indicated that diplomatic talks were not currently a priority for his administration.
“We’re not looking for it, to be honest,” Trump responded. “Originally, I wanted to make a deal. We’re so far down the line. We have very little country left. Yes, a negotiation could possibly happen, but it’s not something we’re looking at.”
The president’s remarks follow reports from Tehran claiming Iranian forces targeted 10 commercial and naval vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, including two U.S. ships and eight oil tankers. The military actions were reportedly taken in retaliation after U.S. forces destroyed five Iranian oil tankers.
Reflecting on recent military exchanges, Trump emphasized ongoing American counter-operations in the region.
“We’ve knocked out nine of their ships. I would say that the attacks are caused by us, and you’re going to see a lot more,” Trump said.
The escalation comes as domestic economic and geopolitical pressures mount ahead of the midterms. Recent polling from Reuters/Ipsos places Trump’s approval rating at 33 percent, with public concern focused primarily on the ongoing war in the Middle East and surging global energy prices.
