Trump says Iran war goal met as gas prices rise

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The U.S.-led war against Iran, which began February 28, has affected every part of America. Now it may play a critical role in the upcoming midterm elections.

President Donald Trump launched the war with one major objective: preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Earlier in the war, the president gave additional reasons for military action against Iran. At a recent campaign rally, Trump said that goal has already been met.

“We obliterated Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer, Operation Epic Fury,” Trump said. “We defeated them militarily, financially and otherwise. And now we are ensuring just one thing: we have to make sure that they never, ever have a nuclear weapon, and we will do that very easily.”

Trump has made that declaration numerous times. On October 10, White House correspondent Jon Decker asked the president, “Why not just declare victory and be done with it?”

“Because I have to keep it that way,” Trump said. “I don’t want to do it in two years. We have to have a guarantee that they won’t do it in the future. It’s actually a very good question.”

Gas prices have risen 40% since the war began, while fighting between the U.S. and Iran continues. The average price of a gallon of regular gas is $4.20, according to AAA.

Diesel, which is primarily used by truckers and farmers, sells for an average of more than $6 per gallon.

Gas and diesel prices remain elevated because of continuous threats from Iran in the Strait of Hormuz.

Likely voters in key Senate races told pollsters that high prices for food and energy are their top concerns.

Trump has told reporters and supporters that gas prices will fall once the war with Iran ends. There is no sign the war, now entering its ninth month, will end soon.