Trump says Iran war will end 'very soon' - Anadolu Ajansı

US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the war with Iran could end “very soon,” claiming Tehran is seeking to prolong the conflict to influence elections.

Speaking after a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin in Ireland, Trump said he expected the war to end shortly, while reiterating that Iran must not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.

“I think very soon,” Trump said when asked when the war would end. “I think it'll be probably right after election times.”

Trump alleged that Iran was trying to “hold out as long as they can to complicate the election,” but said the US would not allow Tehran to acquire nuclear weapons.

“Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple,” he said, adding that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends.

He also addressed tensions in the Red Sea, saying Yemen's Houthis had contacted the US and indicated they did not want a confrontation with Washington.

“They don't want to fight with us,” Trump said, adding that the group was allowing most ships to pass through the waterway.

Trump claimed the US had established strong control over the area through an aggressive naval blockade and was intercepting about 25 boats a day, “most of them at night.”

The president said the US had anticipated that the conflict would drive up oil prices, but suggested prices would decline once the war with Iran comes to an end.

Trump also defended his administration's role in Gaza, rejecting criticism that Washington was facilitating genocide or Israel's occupation of the West Bank.

“When you say Gaza, you know we put out the fire and we get all the hostages,” he said, referring to efforts that he said had secured the release and recovery of hostages held in Gaza.