Trump says he has no regrets about starting the Iran war as U.S. dials up economic pressure

President Donald Trump speaks on the first day of the 2026 Republican National Convention at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, Sept. 9, 2026.

Alex Wong | Getty Images

U.S. President Donald Trump said he has no regrets about starting the Iran war and added that "If I had it to do again, I would do exactly what I did. "

He added that if Iran had a nuclear weapon, the Islamic Republic would "wipe out" Israel and the Middle East, and start hitting U.S. cities.

His comments come as markets after a Wall Street Journal report revealed that top White House advisors had discussed with Trump the possibility that the Iran war could drag on beyond his current term.

Trump has said that the war will end immediately after the midterm elections and , adding on to his months-long claims that the conflict will end soon.

In

"We're going to do it on Monday because we want to honor the memory of our fallen citizens on 9/11. But watch this space on Monday. "

Bessent said that the administration has sanctioned and closed the Dubai branches of the second largest bank in Egypt, claiming that the bank had given the Iran $1.8 billion dollars. The "largest Turkish bank" that had been giving to the Iranians was also sanctioned, although Bessent did not specify which bank were these.

Trump, in the NewsNation interview, was also asked how Iran could continue holding out under the current economic pressure.

"I don't know that they're gonna be able to hold out," Trump said. "But it'll get settled after the elections. Or maybe sooner. But it'll get settled right after the election. "