Trump Reverses Course, Suggests Iran Strike Possible Before Midterms

President Donald Trump indicated Friday that he is not ruling out military action against Iran before the midterm elections, reversing a categorical statement made just one day earlier that the United States would not strike Tehran before voters head to the polls.

When questioned outside the White House about the timeline for potential action, Trump responded, “We may. I mean, we’ll see.”

The comment represents a sharp pivot from his declaration on Thursday, when he asserted the U.S. “will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections.”

Trump further described Iran as being in a state of severe crisis following the recent conflict.

“Their country is failing badly. Their military is defeated. They have no navy. They have no air force,” Trump stated. He also claimed Iranian inflation has reached 300%, characterizing the nation as “in very bad shape.”

The president also discussed a newly announced energy agreement with Russia, under which Moscow is slated to supply significant quantities of diesel fuel to U.S. and global markets.

“I think you heard about the oil deal with Russia. That is a big deal,” Trump said. “That is massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and I want to thank President Putin.”

Trump specified that the shipments would consist of diesel, stating, “It’s diesel, which is what we want.” He argued the increased supply would help lower energy prices.

Trump also addressed the scheduled execution of Nidal Hasan, the perpetrator of the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.

He confirmed Hasan would face a firing squad and defended the application of the death penalty.

“He killed 13, 14 people, badly wounded 20-some-odd people, and he’s totally nuts,” Trump said. “So I really don’t care how he goes, as long as he goes. And I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him.”

Asked if he had approved plans to livestream the execution, Trump confirmed he had.

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