[Anchor]

With the U.S. midterm elections approaching, President Trump blamed soaring oil prices on Ukraine and demanded that it halt attacks on Russian diesel facilities. He also claimed that Iran keeps requesting an agreement and that the war will end after the elections, while a meeting between Iran and Gulf nations to discuss the Strait of Hormuz was abruptly postponed.

Reporting from Washington, here is correspondent Jeon Byeong-nam.

[Reporter]

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that a global diesel shortage was caused by Ukraine and demanded that it refrain from attacking Russian diesel facilities.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: This (spike in diesel prices) is not because of the Middle East (war). It is because of the war between Russia and Ukraine. There are plenty of other targets, so do not attack diesel fuel facilities. It is hurting the entire world.]

As surging oil prices act as a negative factor for the midterm elections—with domestic diesel prices exceeding $6 per gallon and breaking all-time highs—he shifted the blame to Ukraine.

He also claimed that Iran has continuously requested a deal to end the war, reiterating that the war will conclude after the midterm elections and gasoline prices will plummet.

Mentioning the oil-securing agreement with Venezuela announced last August, he raised the possibility that the U.S. could secure oil locally in Iran in a similar manner.

[Donald Trump / U.S. President: Iran wants a deal so badly. They keep calling. They want a deal. Ultimately we are going to leave, unless we decide to stay and secure the oil like we did with Venezuela.]

In response, Iran's Mehr News Agency countered that Trump's claim that Iran wants a deal is absurd.

Meanwhile, a meeting between Iran and Gulf states scheduled for the 14th local time to discuss the Strait of Hormuz issue was suddenly postponed.

Ministerial-level officials from seven countries, including Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia, had previously planned to hold their first meeting to discuss navigational charts for the Strait of Hormuz.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated, "The meeting was postponed to reach an agreement," adding, "We will continue our efforts for regional stability and sustainable cooperation."

Additionally, Trump announced that he would lift tariffs on Irish whiskey imported into the U.S.

He also reiterated pressure for a rate cut ahead of next week's FOMC meeting, asserting that the U.S. should have the lowest interest rates in the world.

(Photo: Oh Jung-shik | Video Editing: Chae Chul-ho | Design: Kim Na-mi)