Trump Says Iran Conflict Will End After US Midterm Elections as Oil Prices Surge

US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran will end “immediately” after November’s midterm elections, linking the timing of the conflict’s conclusion to the crucial vote that will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday before travelling to Dallas for the Republican Party’s first midterm convention, Trump said Iran was attempting to influence the election but would not be able to withstand continued US economic pressure. The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.

Trump also predicted that oil and petrol prices would fall after the election once the conflict ends. His comments came as renewed fighting around the Strait of Hormuz pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel for the first time since July, raising concerns about further increases in fuel and transportation costs.

The conflict has now entered its seventh month, with no clear diplomatic settlement in sight. Iran recently said it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the US destroyed five Iranian oil tankers, further threatening a major global energy route.

Trump acknowledged that negotiations with Tehran remain possible but said restarting talks was not currently a priority. His latest prediction also comes as his approval ratings have fallen amid public frustration over the prolonged conflict and the rising cost of living.

The timing has heightened political scrutiny in Washington. Republicans are defending narrow majorities in both chambers of Congress, making the November elections an important test of Trump’s leadership. Reuters has previously reported that senior administration officials were concerned about the political impact of the conflict and wanted to prevent a major escalation before the vote.

However, Trump’s prediction is far from a guarantee that the fighting will end in November. US officials and outside analysts have warned that the conflict could prove much harder to resolve, while former Defence Secretary Leon Panetta has argued that the war could continue for months if neither side finds a workable path to de-escalation.

For now, Trump’s comments offer a political timetable rather than a confirmed peace plan. With the conflict continuing to disrupt energy supplies and put pressure on American households, the November election could become a major turning point not only for Trump’s domestic agenda but also for the future direction of the Iran war.