Trump’s time to strike an Iran deal is running out
President Donald Trump is priming the American public for an intensified hot war with Iran. On Oct. 8, Trump declared on Truth Social that “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” implicitly leaving the door open to renewed escalation after the Nov. 3 vote. On Oct. 13, Trump accused the Houthis, Iran’s proxy force in Yemen, of striking Saudi Arabia to drive up oil prices ahead of the midterm elections and said he would make a decision on Iran “very soon.”
TL;DR
- President Trump indicated a potential for war with Iran after the midterm elections.
- Trump accused Houthi forces of striking Saudi Arabia to influence oil prices before the elections.
- Despite strong words, the U.S. has not joined Saudi Arabia's military campaign in Yemen.
- Depleted U.S. missile stocks and the need for an industrial rebuild suggest a reluctance for a wider war.