Trump Says Iran War May End After US Midterm Elections As Oil Tops $100

US President Donald Trump has predicted that the Iran war will end after the November midterm elections, saying oil prices will then fall sharply. His comments come as renewed fighting and attacks on oil facilities and shipping routes have pushed crude prices above $100 a barrel. Trump is facing growing political pressure over the war and rising fuel costs, while Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons. With the conflict intensifying, concerns are growing that higher energy prices could further increase the cost of living and put pressure on the US economy.

TRUMP PREDICTS WAR WILL END AFTER MIDTERM ELECTIONS

US President Donald Trump has predicted that the war with Iran will end immediately after the November midterm elections, as renewed fighting pushes global oil prices above $100 a barrel.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday while travelling to Texas for a major Republican gathering, Trump said he believed Iran would no longer be able to withstand US pressure by the time Americans vote on November 3.
“I think the war's going to end immediately after the election because they can't hold out any longer,” Trump said.
Trump also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends.
The comments come as the seven-month-old conflict has become an increasingly important political and economic issue in the United States.

TRUMP ACCUSES IRAN OF
TRYING TO INFLUENCE US ELECTION

Trump claimed that Iran was attempting to influence the US midterm elections by prolonging the conflict and weakening Republicans.
He offered no evidence for the allegation.
Iran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons, while Tehran has continued to resist US pressure over its nuclear programme.
The November elections will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress, making the vote particularly important for Trump's administration.
Historically, the president's party often loses seats during midterm elections, meaning the results could significantly affect Trump's ability to advance his domestic and foreign-policy agenda.

OIL PRICES SURGE ABOVE $100

The president's comments came as Brent crude rose above $100 a barrel for the first time since July.
Brent settled at about $101.21 a barrel on Wednesday, while US West Texas Intermediate crude reached about $96.05. The rise followed a major escalation involving oil tankers and shipping routes around the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy routes, previously carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas supplies.
Recent disruptions have caused flows through the waterway to fall sharply, raising fears that prolonged fighting could further restrict supplies and keep energy prices high.

US AND IRAN ESCALATE ATTACKS ON SHIPPING

The latest escalation has centred heavily on commercial shipping.
The US military said it destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, while Iran said it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz.
The exchanges represent one of the largest waves of attacks on shipping since the war began and have increased fears among energy traders that the conflict could seriously disrupt global oil supplies.
The attacks have also raised concerns about the safety of crews and the willingness of shipping companies to send vessels through the region.

HOUTHI ATTACKS ADD TO ENERGY PRESSURE

The crisis is not limited to the US and Iran.
Iran-linked Houthi forces in Yemen have also intensified attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting energy infrastructure.
Those attacks threaten both Saudi oil facilities and alternative shipping routes through the Red Sea, potentially adding another layer of disruption to global energy markets.
Analysts warn that if attacks spread to more oil-producing countries or important shipping routes, the impact could extend well beyond the Middle East.

HIGH FUEL PRICES CREATE POLITICAL PRESSURE

Rising oil prices are already creating economic difficulties for American consumers.
Higher crude prices feed into the cost of petrol, diesel, transportation and many goods that depend on road, air or sea freight.
US diesel prices have reached record levels, while petrol prices have also risen sharply.
The increase is particularly sensitive politically because households experience higher fuel costs directly, making energy prices an important issue ahead of the November elections.
Trump acknowledged the frustration during his speech, saying some Americans had told him they wished he had not started the war because petrol prices had increased.

TRUMP FACES GROWING POLITICAL PRESSURE

The prolonged conflict has created political problems for Trump.
His approval ratings have fallen amid dissatisfaction over the war and the wider cost-of-living crisis. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only about one-quarter of Americans believed the war with Iran was worthwhile.
Some Republicans have also urged the president to bring the conflict to an end, particularly as higher energy prices risk becoming a major campaign issue.
Trump's prediction that the war will end after the election therefore comes at a politically sensitive moment.
WHITE HOUSE ADVISERS

REPORTEDLY EXPECT A LONGER WAR

Trump's optimistic public prediction contrasts with reported concerns among some of his senior advisers.
According to Reuters, citing a Wall Street Journal report, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have privately warned Trump that the conflict could potentially continue through the remainder of his presidency, which ends in January 2029.
The reported assessment suggests that the war may prove considerably harder to end than Trump's public statements indicate.

DIPLOMACY REMAINS POSSIBLE

Trump said negotiations with Iran could still take place, although he indicated that diplomacy was not currently the preferred option.
The possibility of talks remains significant because a diplomatic agreement could reduce pressure on energy markets and restore more normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
However, continued military escalation makes the timing and prospects of any negotiations uncertain.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The immediate focus will be on whether the latest attacks lead to further disruption of oil production and shipping in the Middle East.
The US midterm elections on November 3 will also provide an important political test for Trump and the Republican Party.
For consumers around the world, the biggest concern is how long the energy disruption lasts. The US Energy Information Administration has already warned that Middle Eastern oil production and exports may remain below normal levels into 2027.
Trump insists the conflict will end shortly after the elections and that oil prices will then fall. But the reported warnings from some of his own advisers suggest that the war could last much longer, leaving energy markets and consumers facing continued uncertainty.