With less than two months until America's midterm elections on November 3, President Donald Trump told reporters he expects the conflict with Iran to conclude before voters head to the polls.
When asked why he believes the war will end immediately after the elections, Trump responded: "The Iranians can no longer hold out. They're desperate to try to influence the elections, so we get a nice, weak group of people there who will leave them alone and allow them to obtain their nuclear weapons. All they want is nuclear weapons, and if they have nuclear weapons, the whole world will be in terrible trouble."
The statement came one day after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at American bases in Jordan, retaliating for the US destruction of five oil tankers. Iran's Revolutionary Guards claimed this morning to have struck additional American vessels in the Gulf.
Trump made these remarks as the Republican Party opens its first-ever midterm election convention today (Wednesday) in Dallas, Texas, with the president taking center stage.
Party leaders had hoped Trump would energize the voter base and boost turnout in an effort to maintain the Republican majority in Congress, the US legislature, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
According to Reuters, many Republican candidates running in tight races for both chambers have chosen not to attend the convention. Party insiders worry that while Trump can fire up his loyal supporters, it may not be enough to overcome broader public dissatisfaction stemming from inflation and the Iran conflict. This concern likely explains the president's unusual declaration.
