By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
US President Donald Trump referred to the Iran war as a “short-term excursion” – suggesting the 10-day conflict that has roiled the Middle East could be nearing its end.
Trump made the remarks at the House GOP retreat at Trump National Doral in Miami.
His appearance before Republicans came a day after crude oil prices soared to above $100 a barrel for the first time since July 2022.
Republicans are gathering for the next three days to discuss their legislative agenda and campaign strategy for the midterm elections.
“We took a little excursion because we felt we had to do that to get rid of some evil,” Trump said. “And I think you’ll see it’s going to be a short-term excursion.”
Trump said the U.S. and Israel are “crushing” the Iranian regime.
“Together, with our Israeli partners, we’re crushing the enemy in an overwhelming display of technical skill and military force,” he said. “Iran’s drone and missile capability is being utterly demolished. The navy is gone, it’s all lying at the bottom of the ocean.”
The president said 46 ships have been sunk so far. When he heard the Iranian ships were excellent quality, he said he asked why the U.S. didn’t capture them instead. The president said he was told it’s “more fun to sink them.”
Trump thanked House Republicans for passing the SAVE America Act, a sweeping election overhaul bill, as he pushes for the Senate to do the same.
“I want to thank House Republicans for passing another commonsense measure, to me, the easiest of all the SAVE America Act to protect our sacred America,” he said.
Trump argued that his administration has brought down prices to the point that they’re no longer high.
“We’re really bringing down prices big,” Trump said. “We brought down prices so much.”
“So our message is simple: Democrats created the high prices, and our policies are totally ending them, and they’re ended, and we’re doing better,” he added.
The US 2026 midterm congressional elections kicked off on Tuesday as voters cast their ballots in the first Republican and Democratic primaries in Texas, North Carolina and Arkansas.