U.S. President Donald Trump predicted that the war with Iran will end around the time the U.S. midterm elections scheduled for Nov. wrap up.
According to Reuters and other foreign media on the 12th local time, Trump, who is visiting Dublin, Ireland, told local reporters that the clashes are likely to end right after the elections.
He said, "Iran is trying to hold out as long as possible to complicate the elections, but I think people know that," adding, "If that happens, oil prices will plunge."
Asked whether Iran was behind the recent attack that shut down Saudi Arabia's east–west oil pipeline, President Trump answered, "I think so. Probably." However, he maintained an optimistic view that tensions and navigation safety issues around the Strait of Hormuz, a key transport route, will be resolved smoothly soon.
Earlier, there were reports that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked for a direct military strike against Yemen's Houthi rebels, who are aligned with Iran, but the U.S. declined. On this, President Trump said the Houthi rebels declined U.S. involvement in advance, explaining, "They do not want to fight us."
Meanwhile, President Trump also voiced optimism that trade talks with neighboring Canada will be concluded soon. Noting that the Canadian government strongly hopes to sign a deal, he said the practice of imposing unfair tariff on U.S. agricultural workers must be corrected and emphasized that the two countries will reach a final agreement soon.
President Trump traveled to Ireland to watch the Irish Open at his Doonbeg golf course.