US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said that the war with Iran will end “immediately” after the US midterm elections in November, arguing that Tehran “can’t hold out any longer” as the conflict enters
its seventh month.
“I think the war will end immediately after the election” because Iran “can’t hold out any longer. They’re desperate to try and affect the election,” Trump told reporters before departing for the Republican National Convention in Dallas.
Trump’s comments come as the Iran conflict is increasingly feeding into concerns over oil prices and the cost of living in the United States, putting the war in the middle of the political debate ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Oil Prices Cross $100
The latest escalation in the conflict has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel. Brent crude futures breached the $100 mark on Wednesday for the first time since July after renewed fighting involving the US and Iran, including attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global energy supplies, and disruption in the area has raised concerns about tighter oil supplies. AP reported that the escalation has also pushed up gasoline and diesel prices, with the effects extending to transportation, consumer goods and food production.
For American consumers, higher fuel prices can translate into higher costs across the economy because transportation and energy are built into the cost of producing and moving goods.
Cost Of Living Becomes A Political Concern
The rise in energy prices comes at a politically sensitive time for the Trump administration. Reuters reported that Trump’s approval ratings have recently fallen to a record low amid voter frustration over the Iran war and a deepening cost-of-living crisis.
The economic impact is not limited to petrol prices. Higher oil prices can raise transportation and production costs, while prolonged energy disruptions can put further pressure on prices for essential goods. AP reported that the latest escalation has already driven gasoline and diesel prices higher and raised concerns about broader inflation.
The US Energy Department has also raised its forecast for 2027 diesel prices, with the Energy Information Administration citing tight global supplies and low domestic inventories. Axios reported that the EIA’s revised outlook came after the Iran conflict had already added significantly to US energy costs.
Why The Midterms Matter
The US midterm elections are scheduled for November 3, with all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats up for election.
The timing makes the economic fallout from the Iran war particularly significant for Trump and Republicans. If oil prices and household expenses remain elevated as voters head to the polls, the administration could face pressure over an issue that directly affects Americans’ daily spending.
Trump, however, has argued that the conflict and oil prices will ease after the election. He said on Wednesday that oil prices would also come down after the election once the war ends, while acknowledging that negotiations with Iran remain possible but are not currently being pursued.
That puts the war, energy prices and the November vote on the same political timeline: a conflict that has now lasted seven months, oil above $100 a barrel and voters preparing to decide the balance of power in Congress.
The result could make the economic consequences of the Iran war an important part of the political debate as the midterm elections approach.
