President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that the war involving Iran would end “immediately” after the November midterm elections, linking the conflict to election tactics and the impact of sharply higher fuel prices on voters. Election DeadlineSpeaking to reporters on the tarmac as he travelled to Texas for the Republican midterm convention, Trump said he expects fighting to stop after the election and suggested Iran is trying to influence the outcome for Republican candidates. “I think the war is going to end immediately after the election,” he said. “They can’t hold out any longer. They’re desperate to try and affect the election so that we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapons.” Trump’s prediction extends another deadline for an end to the conflict. The war has already lasted months longer than the president had initially promised, meaning Republican candidates will continue to face the political and economic headwinds associated with it. Republicans have long worried that the cost-of-living effects of the conflict could undermine their position in Washington, potentially affecting their chances of keeping control of the House and possibly the Senate. Rising Fuel CostsTrump’s comments came as energy prices surged. Diesel fuel, which is now close to $6 a gallon on average, reached a record high last week, while regular gasoline averaged $4.22 a gallon, according to AAA. That figure is up from $4.01 a month earlier. Higher energy costs have fed into the prices of everyday goods, including groceries, raising inflation concerns and increasing voter frustration, Trump said he expects the effects to ease after the election, claiming that gas prices could fall to below $2 a gallon following the midterms. His remarks also aligned with his broader argument that the economic pressure from the war is becoming a central issue ahead of the election. No Return to NegotiationsIn recent days, the United States and Iran have escalated attacks, with each side reporting strikes on naval vessels and oil tankers. Asked about the administration’s approach, Trump said he was no longer seeking negotiations with Iranian leadership to end the fighting. He said his earlier goal had been to reach a deal, but that circumstances have changed. “Originally, I wanted to make a deal,” he said. “We’re so far down the line, they have very little country left right now, so we’re not looking for it. Yes, a negotiation could possibly happen, but it’s not something we’re looking at.” The president’s latest forecast adds to the repeated shifts in when the conflict is expected to finish, as the election approaches and the cost of fuel continues to weigh on households. Join the discussion? 10 September 2026
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