US President Donald Trump has said the United States is not attacking Iran “in full” because of the upcoming midterm elections, while predicting that the war could end shortly after the November 3 polls.
In an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham, Trump was asked about calls for the United States to escalate its military campaign against Iran.
“Well, maybe I don’t do that because of the election,” Trump said.
He reiterated his prediction that the conflict would end immediately after the midterm elections, while leaving open the possibility that it could end before the vote.
“They’re limping along. They’re in deep trouble,” Trump said, referring to Iran.
Trump says he has no regrets over Iran war
Trump rejected the suggestion that he regretted launching the war because of its potential impact on the elections.
“I don’t believe in the word ‘regret,’” he said.
“If I had it do again, I would do exactly as I did,” Trump added.
Trump also dismissed suggestions that some of his supporters had become demoralised over the conflict.
“I don’t think they’re demoralized,” he said, arguing that his supporters were proud that he was preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
Trump claims Iran’s nuclear capability was destroyed
Trump said weakening Iran’s nuclear capabilities was one of the reasons for the US military action.
He claimed Iran would have used a nuclear weapon against Israel and other targets if it had obtained one.
Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and has maintained that its uranium enrichment programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The United States is a nuclear-armed state.
Iran’s missile attacks continue
Asked how Iran could still launch missiles if US strikes had severely damaged its military capabilities, Trump acknowledged that Tehran retained some missiles.
“They had plenty, and they have some. They’ve been largely wiped out,” he said, adding that Iran would “always have some missiles.”
The conflict has also contributed to rising oil and gas prices, creating a political challenge for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections.
Trump said energy prices would return to previous levels once the war ends.
Trump rejects report war could last until end of term
Trump also rejected a Wall Street Journal report suggesting that the conflict could continue until the end of his presidential term.
“It’s one of the most inaccurate papers I’ve ever read,” Trump told reporters while returning from the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Texas.
“There’s not even a chance,” he said.
Trump again predicted that the conflict would end shortly after the election, although he said it could end earlier.
The United States and Israel launched their attacks on Iran on February 28, while Iran responded with strikes on Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases.
