US President Donald Trump has said he does not think the Iran war will end until after November’s midterm elections, adding that oil prices will not come down until then.
“I think the war’s going to end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” Trump said of Tehran on Wednesday.
His comments come as he headed to Texas for the party’s first convention ahead of the midterms, when the balance of power could change in the US government.
Trump is facing falling polling numbers and pressure from within his Republican Party to end the war with Iran.
On Wednesday, oil prices rose to $100 (£74) for the first time since July due to increased fighting in the Middle East.
“Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump told reporters. “I think it’s going to take a little bit longer than the midterm.”
He added that Iran was “desperate to try and affect the election, so that we can get a nice weak group of people in there” – an apparent reference to the Democrats – “and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon”.
Tehran has repeatedly denied it is seeking nuclear weapons.