Trump predicts Iran war ends after midterms
SingTao · 5 SOURCESabout 22 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he expected the war with Iran to end immediately after the US midterm elections on November 3. Speaking before leaving Washington for Dallas to attend a Republican gathering, he said Tehran was trying to influence the election but could no longer sustain the conflict under US economic pressure. He also said oil prices would fall once the war ended, while adding that diplomacy remained possible but was not Washington’s preferred course. His remarks came as the conflict entered its seventh month and fresh attacks near the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude back above US$100 a barrel.
Key Points
- Trump told reporters before departing for Dallas that he believed the war would end “immediately after” the election because Iran “can’t hold out any longer”.
- He accused Tehran of trying to sway the midterm vote to install weaker US leaders who would let Iran pursue nuclear weapons.
- Iran said it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the US sank five Iranian oil tankers, marking a new escalation.
- Brent crude futures rose above US$100 a barrel for the first time since July, and Trump said US gasoline could fall below US$2 a gallon after the vote.
- Trump said negotiations could still happen but were not under active consideration, while a Wall Street Journal report said some White House officials feared the war could last until January 2029.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the most immediate consequence is energy costs: higher crude prices can feed into transport, logistics and broader living expenses when Brent moves back above US$100 a barrel. The political uncertainty also matters because Trump’s own forecast clashes with reported concerns inside the White House that the conflict could continue well beyond the midterms, making oil and market volatility harder to price in
For Hong Kong readers, the most immediate consequence is energy costs: higher crude prices can feed into transport, logistics and broader living expenses when Brent moves back above US$100 a barrel. The political uncertainty also matters because Trump’s own forecast clashes with reported concerns inside the White House that the conflict could continue well beyond the midterms, making oil and market volatility harder to price in