Trump Says Iran War Will Turn Out ‘Fine and Dandy’ During Meeting With Irish Prime Minister
President Donald Trump expressed optimism Saturday that the ongoing war with Iran will soon come to an end, telling reporters during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin that he believes the conflict will ultimately turn out “fine and dandy.”
Trump made the remarks during a visit to Dublin, where he met with Martin as part of a two-day trip to Ireland. Asked about the war, the president argued that Iran had been significantly weakened during months of fighting and maintained that an eventual resolution would be reached.
The president later told reporters that he expects the conflict to end “very soon,” suggesting that a resolution could come after the U.S. midterm elections in November. Trump claimed Iran was attempting to prolong the conflict and said he expects oil prices to fall substantially once the fighting ends.
The comments came amid another escalation in the Middle East after Saudi Arabia temporarily shut down its East-West oil pipeline following a drone attack. The pipeline has become particularly important because it allows Saudi crude exports to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping has been severely disrupted by the war.
Trump said Iran was “probably” responsible for the attack, although no group had immediately claimed responsibility. Saudi Arabia and Iraq said the drones originated in Iraq, where Iran-backed armed groups operate.
Trump also confirmed that he had spoken with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the situation. He said Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement had contacted his administration and indicated that it did not want the United States to become directly involved in the expanding conflict.
The regional situation has become increasingly complicated as Houthi forces advance in Yemen and threaten shipping around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Combined with disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, instability around the second strategic waterway has raised further concerns about global energy supplies and international shipping.
Despite those developments, Trump continued to project confidence that the conflict could be brought to a conclusion. His administration has said its objectives include preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and protecting freedom of navigation through strategically important waterways in the region.
Trump’s remarks in Ireland came one day after he addressed the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks at the Pentagon, where he linked the current conflict with Iran to the broader fight against terrorism and said the United States would continue fighting until it achieved victory.