U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 9th (local time) that the Iran war would end right after the U.S. midterm elections.
According to U.S. political outlet Politico and others, Trump met reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., before departing for Dallas, Texas, where the Republican midterm convention is being held, and said, "I think the war will end as soon as the elections are over," adding, "because they (Iran) can't hold out any longer."
He continued, "They are desperate to influence the election results," and argued, "because then the Republicans will lose, and they will be allowed to have nuclear weapons." He added, "The only thing they want is nuclear weapons, and if they get them, the whole world will be in danger."
Trump has hinted that the war would end soon, saying the end would come "very soon." This time, however, he pushed his expected end date to after the midterms in November, about 50 days away. Politico assessed that this means Republican candidates will continue to face the backlash from the war and rising living costs through the midterms.
Particularly notable is Trump's claim that Iran is trying to interfere to bring about a Republican defeat. The remarks appear aimed at rallying his base and drawing in swing voters by highlighting the risk that, if Republicans lose and Democrats take the majority in Congress, it could become harder to block Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.
Regarding the recent rise in gasoline prices in the United States amid armed exchanges between the two countries, Trump said, "It's very easy to explain to Americans. Just ask, 'Are we going to let Iran have nuclear weapons?' The answer will be 'no.'"
He added, "As soon as the midterms are over, oil prices will plunge. We will make that happen, and I think gasoline will drop below $2 per gallon," while noting, "It might take a little more time after the midterms."