Former US President Donald Trump has declared he holds no regrets regarding the ongoing conflict with Iran, asserting that if he were to face the decision again, he would act "exactly as I did." Speaking in an interview, Trump also dismissed concerns that his supporters might be demoralized by the protracted engagement.
Trump conveyed his belief that the war would conclude shortly after the upcoming November midterm elections. "It ends right after election," he stated, repeating earlier remarks. He further argued that his supporters are not disheartened, but rather "very proud of the fact that I'm not letting Iran have a nuclear weapon."
Midterm Elections and Alleged Iranian Influence
The former President reiterated his claims that Iran is attempting to influence the November midterm elections, which will determine control of the US Congress. The ongoing conflict and its economic repercussions have become a significant talking point for the Republican Party as the vote approaches.
Economic Impact: Soaring Oil and Gas Prices
A notable consequence of the US-Iran war has been a sharp increase in global oil and gas prices. Major benchmarks for oil recently surpassed $100 a barrel for the first time since mid-May, fueled by fears of long-term supply disruptions due to attacks along critical shipping routes in the Middle East.
In the US, consumers have felt the pinch directly, with the national average price of diesel crossing $6 a gallon for the first time. Analysts attribute this surge to a combination of the US-Iran conflict and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries, both contributing to a tightened global supply.
Nuclear Ambitions and War Goals
Trump has consistently framed the weakening of Iran's nuclear capabilities as a primary objective of the war. Iran, however, continues to deny possessing nuclear weapons, maintaining that its uranium enrichment activities are solely for peaceful energy purposes.