US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the war with Iran could end “very soon,” while accusing Tehran of trying to prolong the conflict to influence elections and insisting that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
Speaking after meeting Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Ireland, Trump said he expected the war to end shortly.
“I think very soon,” Trump told reporters when asked when the war would end. “I think it'll be probably right after election times.”
Trump alleged that Iran was trying to “hold out as long as they can to complicate the election,” but said Washington would not allow Tehran to develop nuclear weapons.
“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple,” he said, adding that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends.
Trump links Iran to Saudi pipeline attack
Trump also said Iran was probably responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline, a major route for exporting crude while bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.
“I think they are, probably they are,” Trump said when asked whether Iran was behind the attack.
The president added that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a “good friend.”
Trump said the United States had anticipated that the conflict would push oil prices higher but expected prices to decline once the war ends.
Houthis signal they want to avoid US confrontation
Trump also addressed tensions in the Red Sea, saying Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis had contacted his administration and indicated they did not want the United States to become directly involved in the conflict.
“They don't want to fight with us,” Trump said, claiming the group was allowing most ships to pass through the waterway.
He also claimed that the US had established strong control over the area through an aggressive naval blockade and was intercepting about 25 boats a day, “most of them at night.”
Trump defends Gaza policy
Trump also defended his administration’s role in Israel’s war on Gaza, rejecting criticism that Washington was facilitating genocide or Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.
“When you say Gaza, you know we put out the fire and we get all the hostages,” he said, referring to efforts he said had secured the release and recovery of hostages held in Gaza.
