US President Donald Trump answers reporters' questions Wednesday (local time) before boarding his plane bound for Dallas, Texas, to attend a Republican Party convention. [AFP]
US President Donald Trump answers reporters' questions Wednesday (local time) before boarding his plane bound for Dallas, Texas, to attend a Republican Party convention. [AFP]

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday (local time) that the war with Iran would end right after the US midterm elections, and that oil prices would plunge around the same time.

Trump made the remarks to reporters at Joint Base Andrews near Washington as he headed to Dallas, Texas, to attend a Republican Party midterm convention. "I think the war will end as soon as the election is over," Trump said, "because they (Iran) can't hold out any longer."

"They are desperate to influence the outcome of the election," he added, "because if the Republicans lose, they will be allowed to have nuclear weapons." He said, "All they want is a nuclear weapon, and if they get one, the whole world will be in danger."

Asked how he would explain the recent rise in US oil prices amid clashes with Iran, Trump said, "It's very easy to explain to the American people. You merely have to ask, 'Should Iran be allowed to have a nuclear weapon?' The answer will be no." He stressed that stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon mattered more than the burden of high oil prices.

"As soon as the midterms are over, oil prices will drop sharply," he said. "We are going to make that happen, and I believe gas prices will fall below $2 a gallon." Asked when the price drop would occur, he said, "It will probably take a bit longer than the midterms."

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