President Donald Trump has again projected an end date for the ongoing Iran war, stating in comments made on Wednesday that he believes the conflict will conclude "immediately after the election." Trump, speaking to reporters on the tarmac outside Air Force One, expressed his conviction that "the Iranians 'can't hold out any longer."
The president's remarks came as he traveled to Dallas for the Republican Midterm Convention. Trump is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the convention, a high-profile event that has seen notable absences from prominent Republicans.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not scheduled to speak, a decision that reportedly follows Trump's frustrations with Thune over stalled legislative priorities. Several candidates competing in closely contested races are also not slated to appear on the main stage. These include Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, Iowa Congressional candidate Ashley Hinson, and John E. Sununu, the Republican nominee vying for a New Hampshire Senate seat.
Forecasting for the upcoming midterm elections suggests that Democrats are expected to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Senate's outcome remains more uncertain, with control potentially decided by key races in states like Maine, Ohio, Michigan, and Alaska.
Trump's departure for the convention was momentarily delayed on Wednesday due to an incident involving his new Air Force One aircraft, which deployed its emergency evacuation slide before he boarded. When questioned about the aircraft's safety, Trump responded, "Yeah, I am, or I wouldn't be on it." The slide was later observed being removed from the plane.
The Iran war has continued for more than six months, resulting in the deaths of 18 American service members. Earlier reports from the Washington Post indicated that senior military commanders had warned Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that sustained operations in Iran could potentially compromise U.S. defenses in other regions and domestically.