Trump: War will end after midterm elections and we will control the Strait of Hormuz

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the removal of naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, predicting that the war with Iran would end very soon. Speaking in Dublin after meeting Irish President Catherine Connolly, Trump said, “Everything will go smoothly,” in response to a question about whether he could help ensure the free flow of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, affirming that the war would end soon and that Tehran would not possess a nuclear weapon. He added that oil prices would drop sharply after the war ends, and expressed his belief that Iran possesses missiles capable of targeting European cities. In remarks to reporters, he said, “I think that will happen very soon. I think it will most likely be right after the midterm elections. They are trying to hold out as long as possible to complicate the elections. But I think people are aware of that.” Commenting on the attack on the Saudi oil pipeline, he said Iran was most likely responsible. Later, Trump noted in a speech that Iran had fired 111 missiles at one of the aircraft carriers within an hour, and that the United States had intercepted all of them. Trump said, “We control the Strait of Hormuz and we dominate it, and advanced mine-clearing vessels operating in the dark have removed the mines from Hormuz.” After meeting President Connolly, Trump held a meeting with Prime Minister Michael Martin, before heading to his family’s golf course in Donabeg, west of Ireland, in connection with the Open Golf Championship being held there.