Washington, USA — The conflict between the United States and Iran is showing no sign of ending soon as the tension in the Middle East is reaching its second week.
Speaking at a campaign rally ahead of the 2026 US midterm elections on Wednesday (US time), Trump proudly said that the United States had already won the war but stressed that Washington should remain engaged rather than withdraw too early.
The US president also claimed that American forces had destroyed more than 50 of Iranian naval vessels and significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities.
Despite those claims, Iran has continued launching attacks, including strikes targeting Israel and other locations across the Middle East.
Tensions also remain centered on the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway has become a major flashpoint after Iran effectively moved to block the passage and warned vessels attempting to cross it, prompting repeated military warnings from Washington.
Meanwhile, in what appears to challenge Trump’s claims, recent reports say Iranian forces attacked fuel tankers in Iraqi waters and nearby Gulf shipping lanes.
Two fuel tankers and three merchant vessels were reportedly hit, leaving one crew member dead.
Iranian officials have also warned the fighting could trigger a prolonged economic shock, saying global oil prices could climb to as high as 200 dollars per barrel if tensions continue.
“Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because the oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilised,” said Ebrahim Zolfaqari, Iran’s military command spokesperson.
This week, crude oil prices have already climbed past 100 dollars per barrel.
It can be also recalled that Iran said the country could sustain the conflict for as long as six months if necessary.
Meanwhile, Japan has taken steps to ease pressure on energy supplies, announcing plans to release around 80 million barrels of oil from its strategic reserves to help offset disruptions.