• Trump forecasts Iran war to end immediately after US midterm elections.
• Increased fighting has pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
• Trump's approval ratings suffer amid public frustration over the war.

President Donald Trump has predicted that the war with Iran will conclude “immediately after” the U.S. midterm elections set for November 3. He asserts that Tehran is trying to influence the elections but will not be able to sustain its position against U.S. economic pressure. “I think war is going to end immediately after the election because they can’t hold out any longer,” he told reporters, indicating that Iranian leadership is desperate to impact the legislative environment in the U.S., especially with the upcoming election affecting Congressional control, according to SCMP and Reuters.

The ongoing conflict has reached a critical stage, recently entering its seventh month, amid heightened hostilities. On one hand, the U.S. military has targeted Iranian oil tankers in response to missile attacks, while Iran has retaliated by attacking U.S. Navy assets and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The renewed fighting has contributed to soaring oil prices, which have now crossed $100 a barrel, marking a severe impact on global oil markets. “Right after the election, oil prices are going to be tumbling downward,” Trump commented, asserting that stability will return following the electoral outcome, according to Al Jazeera and BBC.

As public frustration grows over the war's unpopularity, Trump's approval ratings have declined significantly, correlating closely with the general public opinion regarding the conflict. Polling indicates that only 31 percent of Americans currently support military action in Iran, a stark contrast to previous months. Trump acknowledges that dissatisfaction is influencing his party's dynamics as they approach the pivotal midterm elections, and discussions about potential negotiations with Iran have become less prioritized. “We’re not looking for it, to be honest,” Trump stated firmly, indicating a shift in focus away from diplomatic solutions, according to Reuters and BBC.