Washington: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Iran was probably responsible for an aerial attack on Saudi Arabia that disrupted operations on the kingdom’s East-West oil pipeline, while also predicting that the war with Iran would end after the US midterm elections in November.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Trump was asked whether Iran was responsible for the attack on the vital Saudi oil conduit.“I think they are, probably they are,” Trump said.
The East-West pipeline is a key component of Saudi Arabia’s oil infrastructure and provides an alternative route for transporting crude without relying entirely on maritime shipments through the region.
Trump Predicts Iran War Will End After US Midterms
Trump also reiterated his belief that the conflict with Iran would end shortly after the US midterm elections in November.
“I think very soon. I think it’ll be probably right after the midterms,” Trump said, claiming that Iran was attempting to prolong the conflict in order to complicate the US election.
“They’re trying to hold out as long as they can to complicate the election. But I think people are wise to it,” he added.
Trump further predicted that oil prices would fall sharply once the conflict ends.
“When that happens, oil prices will come tumbling down,” he said.
Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Concerns Will ‘Work Out Just Fine’
Trump was also asked whether he could help facilitate the movement of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid renewed concerns over regional tensions and Saudi Arabia.
“Everything will work out just fine,” Trump said.
He made the remarks in Dublin after meeting Irish President Catherine Connolly.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint through which a significant share of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes. Any prolonged disruption in the waterway could put additional pressure on global energy markets.
Trump’s comments came as tensions involving Iran, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East remained high, with concerns growing over potential disruptions to energy supplies and regional shipping routes.