Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Amid a new flare-up in the Middle East, US President Donald Trump has claimed that the war with Iran will end immediately after the US midterm elections in November, saying Tehran will not be able to sustain the conflict for much longer.
“I think the war is going to end immediately after the election,” Trump said. He repeated the prediction, arguing that Iran “can’t hold out any longer” and accusing Tehran of trying to influence the US vote.
advertisement
The US President alleged that Iran was seeking to affect the outcome of the election in hopes of dealing with a weaker group of US politicians who would leave it alone and allow it to develop a nuclear weapon.
“All they want is a nuclear weapon. And if they had a nuclear weapon, the whole world is in deep trouble,” he said.
TRUMP RULES OUT ACTIVE NEGOTIATIONS
Trump said the conflict was about more than Iran’s nuclear programme, indicating that Washington would seek broader outcomes.
“I am doing much more than a nuclear deal. There is a lot more than nuclear, “Trump said. “We are gonna have nuclear, that’s 99.9 (per cent), but there is gonna be a lot of other things on the table.”
He also said the US was not actively seeking negotiations with Tehran, although he left open the possibility that talks could take place.
“We are not looking for negotiations with Iran,” Trump said. “A negotiation could possibly happen, but it’s not something we are looking at.”
MORE HORMUZ ATTACKS AHEAD, TRUMP WARNS
The Strait of Hormuz has become one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the US-Iran conflict. Both sides are carrying out attacks against vessels in and around the strategic waterway.
The escalation intensified on Wednesday after US forces struck Iranian oil tankers in retaliation for what Washington said were Iranian missile attacks on US Navy ships. Iran then claimed it had attacked 10 vessels near the Strait, marking one of the biggest waves of tit-for-tat maritime attacks since the war began.
The confrontation has also raised concerns over global energy supplies. Brent crude rose above 100 dollars per barrel on Wednesday as uncertainty grew over the flow of oil through the strait.
Asked about the attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said they were being carried out by US forces and warned that more strikes were coming.
“The attacks are made by us. You are gonna see a lot more,” Trump said.
Trump’s war with Iran has now entered its seventh month, with no immediate end to the conflict in sight. At the same time, the Republican leader’s approval ratings have fallen to a record low, as voters grow increasingly frustrated over the prolonged Iran war and a deepening cost-of-living crisis. The US midterm elections, scheduled for November 3, will be closely watched as a litmus test for the US President and his administration.
WHY US MIDTERM POLLS ARE IMPORTANT
The US midterm elections are held halfway through a US President’s four-year term and are important because they can change the balance of power in Congress, even though the President himself is not on the ballot. On November 3, Americans will vote for all 435 seats in the House of Representatives and a portion of the Senate. The outcome will determine which party controls Congress and, in turn, how easily Trump can advance his agenda.
The elections could have a direct impact on Trump’s ability to govern during the final two years of his term. If Republicans retain control of Congress, his administration would have a stronger chance of pushing legislation, securing funding and advancing key policies. If Democrats gain control of either chamber, Trump could face greater resistance to his proposals and increased congressional scrutiny.
Midterms are also widely viewed as a political test of the president’s performance. Although voters are choosing individual lawmakers rather than directly voting for the US President, issues dominating the White House agenda — in this case, the Iran war — can influence their decisions. The economy, the cost of living and conflicts can all factor into how Americans vote.
– Ends
With inputs from agencies
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
