Trump says Iran war could end ‘very soon’

WASHINGTON, Sep 12: US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the war with Iran could end “very soon,” while accusing Tehran of trying to prolong the conflict to influence elections.

Speaking after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Ireland, Trump said he expected the war to end shortly and reiterated that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“I think very soon,” Trump said 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 insisted the United States would not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple,” he said.

Trump also predicted that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends, saying his administration had anticipated that the war would push energy prices higher.

Turning to tensions in the Red Sea, Trump said Yemen’s Houthi movement had contacted the United States and indicated that it did not want a confrontation with Washington.

“They don't want to fight with us,” Trump said, adding that the Houthis were allowing most ships to pass through the waterway.

Trump claimed the United States 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.”

On Gaza, Trump defended his administration’s role and rejected criticism that Washington was facilitating genocide or supporting Israel’s occupation of the West Bank.

“When you say Gaza, you know we put out the fire and we get all the hostages,” Trump said, referring to efforts he said had secured the release and recovery of hostages held in Gaza.