Trump Calls War Costs "Peanuts," Justifies Iran Conflict Eve of Midterms

U.S. President Donald Trump defended his decision to launch the war against Iran on November 2 (local time), dismissing the conflict's costs as mere "peanuts."

Speaking in a telephone interview with pro-Trump Fox News host late that night, just one day before the midterm general elections, Trump criticized the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) signed between the U.S. and Iran during the administration of former President Barack Obama, calling it a path that allowed Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.

He stated that even though the U.S. economy was booming at the time he decided to launch military operations against Iran, he told his aides that "we had to make a little detour and take a short trip to Iran," emphasizing, "We could not leave Iran, a wicked nation, alone. If we could not tolerate them having nuclear weapons, we would never allow it."

In particular, Trump highlighted that since launching his second-term administration on January 20 of last year, he has generated 25 trillion dollars in wealth, adding, "Compared to the money we have made, this (the cost of the war with Iran) is peanuts."

He also referred to the security agreement signed with Denmark and Greenland to strengthen the U.S. military presence in Greenland as "getting Greenland," claiming it is "worth 5 trillion dollars."

His appeal on the eve of the midterms comes as a surge in domestic oil prices driven by the war with Iran has become a major factor behind public alienation from his administration and the ruling Republican Party.

Trump claimed there is currently no all-out military confrontation with Iran, saying, "We are just talking. This is not a war. This is a 'soft war.'"

He also remarked, "We may have to go to Mount Gokgaeng-i (suspected of being a secret Iranian nuclear facility) now, but it's no big deal. We can do it in an hour."

Urging his supporters to vote, Trump said of the midterm elections, "In a way, it's almost as if I am actually running, because (if the Republicans lose) everything we have achieved will be wiped out," adding, "If our people vote, we will win by a landslide."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.