Washington: US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States is refraining from launching a full-scale attack on Iran due to the impending November 3 midterm elections. He expressed confidence that the ongoing conflict would conclude either shortly after or even before the elections.
According to Anadolu Agency, during an interview with Fox News, Trump addressed the calls for a more aggressive approach in the conflict with Iran. He candidly stated that electoral considerations were influencing the decision not to escalate military actions. "Well, maybe I don't do that because of the election," Trump remarked, underscoring the potential impact of the elections on military strategies.
Trump maintained his forecast that the conflict's resolution would be promptly achieved post-election, while also considering the possibility of an earlier resolution. He characterized Iran's position as weakened, asserting, "They're limping along. They're in deep trouble." Addressing questions about Iran's missile capabilities despite US efforts, Trump acknowledged the persistent threat, stating, "They had plenty, and they have some. They've been largely wiped out ... But they have missiles. They'll always have some missiles."
The president expressed no remorse over the conduct of the Iran conflict, rejecting the notion of regret. "If I had to do it again, I would do exactly as I did," he affirmed. Trump claimed to have neutralized Iran's nuclear capabilities, suggesting Iran posed a significant threat to regional and global security. "They're crazy ... They would have wiped out Israel. They would have wiped out the Middle East and they would have started hitting a couple of our cities," he elaborated.
In further comments made while returning from the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, Trump dismissed a report by The Wall Street Journal, which speculated that the conflict with Iran could extend until the end of his presidential term. "It's one of the most inaccurate papers I've ever read ... There's not even a chance," he commented in response to the report.
Addressing concerns about rising oil prices, Trump assured that prices would stabilize once the conflict was resolved. "When that ends, and I think it'll end very shortly after the election. (It) could end before the election, but I think it'll end very shortly after the election," he concluded.