US President Donald Trump has said he expects the ongoing war with Iran to end immediately after the US midterm elections in November. Speaking to reporters, Trump claimed Iran was struggling to sustain the conflict and suggested Tehran could be attempting to influence the upcoming vote. “I think the war will end immediately after the election,” Trump said, arguing that Iran could not continue holding out indefinitely.
Trump also claimed that the US had destroyed or targeted several Iranian oil tankers following attacks by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on American naval assets.
Why Does Trump Expect The Iran War To End?
Trump said Iran was under increasing pressure and accused Tehran of trying to affect the outcome of the US midterm elections. He also warned that allowing Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon would be unacceptable, maintaining that the US campaign was aimed at preventing Tehran from advancing its nuclear capabilities.
However, the Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reported that some of Trump’s senior advisers privately believe the conflict could continue for much longer. IAEA Refers Iran Nuclear Issue To UN Pressure on Tehran increased after the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors voted to refer Iran to the UN Security Council over its nuclear non-compliance.
The resolution reportedly passed with 23 votes in favour, three against and eight abstentions. Russia, China and Niger opposed the measure. Iran rejected the resolution, with its representative to the UN nuclear watchdog accusing the US of influencing the decision and saying it would not produce results.
US-Iran War: What Happened To Iranian Tankers?
The latest escalation also involved Iranian oil tankers. US forces reportedly destroyed five Iranian tankers after directing their crews to abandon the vessels. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the action, saying further attempts by Iran to target American naval forces could result in additional tanker strikes. The developments have added another layer to the confrontation, with Washington using economic and military pressure to force Tehran to change its position.
Strait Of Hormuz Remains Key Flashpoint
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the biggest points of tension in the conflict. Shipping through the strategic waterway has been severely disrupted since the US-Israeli military campaign began in February. Iran has asserted control over traffic through the strait, with vessels reportedly required to obtain permission and pay transit fees before passage. The disruption has raised concerns over global energy supplies because the waterway is a crucial route for international oil shipments.
Netanyahu Says Iran Is Close To Collapse
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also claimed that Iran’s leadership is nearing collapse. He said Israel’s main objective remained bringing down what he described as Iran’s “terror regime”, while stressing that Israeli forces were continuing their operations.
