President Donald Trump has projected that the Iran war will conclude shortly after the upcoming election, suggesting that Iran is nearing its limit.
"I think the war's going to immediately end after the election," Trump told reporters on Wednesday outside of Air Force One. He added, "They can't hold out any longer."
Trump made these remarks while en route to the Republican Midterm Convention in Dallas, Texas. He is scheduled to speak on both nights of the convention. However, the attendance list for the event reportedly indicates a decline in Trump's popularity, with several prominent Republicans opting out of speaking engagements. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is not scheduled to speak, a decision that follows Trump's past frustrations with the senator regarding stalled legislative priorities.
Several candidates competing in closely contested races are also bypassing the main stage. These include Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins, Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson, who is running for the U.S. Senate, and John E. Sununu, the Republican nominee seeking to win New Hampshire's Senate seat. Prognosticators largely anticipate Democrats regaining control of the U.S. House of Representatives, while the Senate's control remains uncertain, with key races in Maine, Ohio, Michigan, and Alaska expected to be decisive.
Trump's departure for Texas was delayed on Wednesday due to an issue with his Air Force One aircraft, which deployed its emergency evacuation slide. The Iran war has been ongoing for over six months, resulting in the deaths of 18 American service members. According to a report last week by The Washington Post, senior military commanders have expressed concerns to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth that a prolonged engagement in Iran could compromise U.S. defenses in other regions, including domestically.