Trump Predicts Iran War End Post-Midterms Amid IAEA Nuclear Concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday, September 9, that a war with Iran would conclude "immediately" after the upcoming midterm congressional elections on November 3, 2026. He also forecast a subsequent drop in oil prices, which had surpassed $100 per barrel due to recent escalations. Trump made these remarks to reporters before departing for a Republican Party conference in Dallas, a gathering focused on the elections that will determine control of both houses of Congress.

When questioned about the timing of the war's end, the President accused Iran of attempting to influence American elections and aid Democrats in regaining control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. "They can't hold on anymore. They are desperately trying to influence the elections so that there will be a good and weak group of people who will leave them alone and allow them to get nuclear weapons. That's all they want. If they get nuclear weapons, the whole world will be in big trouble," Trump declared.

Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) Board of Governors has decided, for the first time in 20 years, to refer the issue of Iran's nuclear program to the UN Security Council. This decision stems from the conclusion that Tehran is violating its obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The move is unlikely to result in practical consequences, such as new sanctions, as Russia and China, both with veto power, are expected to block such measures. However, the referral is seen as a diplomatic hardening of the West's stance. Tehran has threatened retaliation.

The IAEA's decision follows a pattern of escalating tensions, including the Israeli "People as a Lion" war against Iran in June 2025, during which the U.S. joined in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The IAEA had already concluded then that Tehran was breaching its commitments, citing traces of uranium found at undeclared sites, which Iran denies ever using for military purposes. Iran has restricted access for inspectors to damaged facilities since the strikes.

This latest referral continues the IAEA's line of action, demanding Iran account for its enriched uranium stockpiles. Prior to the "People-Lion" war, Iran possessed 440.9 kg of uranium enriched to 60%, close to the 90% threshold for nuclear weapons, enough for at least ten bombs. Concerns remain that Iran may have hidden this material and could enrich it further at secret sites, potentially hindering the war's objective of eliminating the nuclear threat.

Iran has accused Western nations of attacking monitored nuclear facilities and then using the resulting problems as a basis for the IAEA's decision. Iran's mission to the IAEA called the decision political, blaming the U.S. and Israel for the situation and asserting that Washington's goal of forcing Iranian capitulation and seizing its oil will not be achieved.