Trump Says He Would ‘Do Exactly’ the Same in Iran War Despite Midterm Risks

US President Donald Trump said he has no regrets about going to war with Iran, even as the conflict’s impact on oil and gas prices threatens to become a major political issue ahead of the November midterm elections.

“I don’t believe in the word ‘regret.’ You can always question yourself a little bit,” Trump said in an interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham when asked whether he regretted the war because of its potential impact on the elections.

“If I had it to do again, I would do exactly as I did,” Trump said in the interview, which aired Thursday on The Ingraham Angle.

Trump also rejected suggestions that some of his supporters had become frustrated or demoralised over the conflict.

“I don’t think they’re demoralized. I think they’re very proud of the fact that I’m not letting Iran have a nuclear weapon,” he said.

Trump Predicts Iran War Will End After Midterms

Trump reiterated his claim that the conflict will end immediately after the November midterm elections.

“It ends right after the election,” he said.

Trump made a similar claim on Wednesday, accusing Tehran of attempting to influence the elections, which will determine whether Republicans retain control of Congress.

Rising oil and gas prices linked to the US-Israeli war with Iran have emerged as a growing concern for Republicans heading into the elections. Higher energy costs could put additional pressure on American consumers and become a key campaign issue.

US, Israel and Iran Conflict

The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes against Israel and Gulf states hosting US military bases. The conflict, along with Israeli attacks on Lebanon, has killed thousands of people and displaced millions, according to the report.

Trump has repeatedly said that weakening Iran’s nuclear capabilities is a central objective of the war.

Iran does not possess nuclear weapons and maintains that its uranium-enrichment programme is intended for peaceful purposes. The United States, meanwhile, is a nuclear-armed state.