Trump says Iran war could continue until after US midterms
The US president has linked the war’s possible end to the 3 November elections, while predicting oil prices will fall afterwards.
US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran may continue until immediately after the 3 November US midterm elections, revising his earlier expectation that the conflict would last only weeks.
Trump told reporters the war would end because Iran would be unable to continue fighting, but provided no independent basis for the prediction. He also said further negotiations with Tehran were possible, although they were not currently being pursued.
The comments, reported by BBC World, came as Trump travelled to Texas for the Republican Party’s first midterm election convention. Republicans are at risk of losing control of Congress in the elections, which are taking place as the conflict enters its seventh month following the expiry of a 60-day ceasefire.
Trump also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply after the election. Oil reached $100 a barrel on Wednesday as fighting intensified and reported attacks on oil facilities increased pressure on fuel and shipping costs.
He alleged, without providing evidence, that Iran was seeking to influence the election and leave Democrats in power. Tehran has repeatedly denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons.
Reports of attacks involving US forces, Iran and Iranian-linked Houthis were carried by official statements and Iranian state media and have not been independently verified in the supplied material.
