Trump Says Iran War Will End 'Immediately After' Midterms — But Offers No Evidence for Key Claim

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the war with Iran will end "immediately after" the November midterm elections, arguing that Tehran "can't hold out any longer" — but he offered no evidence for his claim that Iran is trying to influence the U.S. vote .

DALLAS – President Donald Trump told reporters at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday that the seven-month war with Iran will conclude "immediately after" the November 3 midterm elections, and predicted oil prices would tumble once the conflict ends .

"I think the war will end immediately after the election because they can't hold out any longer," Trump said before departing for Dallas to address the Republican Party's first midterm convention .

Trump accused Iran of being "desperate to try and affect the election, so that we can get a nice, weak group of people in there and leave them alone and let them have their nuclear weapon" — an apparent reference to Democrats . He provided no proof of the election interference claim. Tehran has repeatedly denied seeking nuclear weapons .

Oil Prices and Economic Pain

Trump also predicted that oil prices would "tumble downward" after the war ends, though he acknowledged that relief may take longer than the election itself .

"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" .

Benchmark Brent crude breached $100 a barrel for the first time since July on Wednesday as fighting escalated near the Strait of Hormuz . The conflict and its knock-on effects on fuel and grocery prices have driven a steep decline in Trump's approval ratings .

At the convention in Dallas, Trump echoed his earlier remarks, saying oil prices would fall "as soon as we win the war with Iran" . He also acknowledged the political cost of the conflict, telling the crowd: "Guys come up to me and say, 'I wish you didn't do the war in Iran. Now gasoline is up'" .

Advisers Privately Warn Conflict Could Drag On

Trump's optimistic prediction contrasts with private warnings from some of his senior advisers. According to The Wall Street Journal, Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were among officials who cautioned the president that the conflict could continue through the remainder of his term — potentially beyond January 2029 .

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the report .

Escalating Strikes in the Strait of Hormuz

The president's remarks came amid a sharp escalation in military action. Trump said recent U.S. strikes at the Strait of Hormuz had disabled nine Iranian oil tankers, warning that more would follow .

"You're going to see more. We've taken out approximately nine of their tankers," Trump said .

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to Ecuador, said Iran would continue to "pay the price" for attacks on U.S. warships .

"Last night, they lost five more. Four were damaged. One was sunk," Rubio said. "So they're going to continue to pay the price for that" .

No Return to Nuclear Talks

Trump also indicated that negotiations with Iran are not a priority. "At first I wanted a deal, but we are way past that and they have so little left of their country," he said. "Talks could happen, but it's not something we expect" .

Iran has denied seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its uranium enrichment is for civilian energy purposes .

The Bottom Line

With the midterm elections less than two months away and Republicans facing the risk of losing their congressional majorities, Trump's remarks appear aimed at reassuring voters that relief is on the horizon. Whether the war actually ends "immediately" after November 3 — as the president predicts — remains to be seen.