In brief
During the Republican Party’s first midterms convention in Texas, President Trump declared the Iran war would end immediately after the US midterms and blamed the surge in oil prices on the conflict. Oil spiked to $100 a barrel as US and Iranian forces targeted tankers in the Gulf and the Houthis struck Saudi oil facilities. BBC reporter Sarah Smith questioned GOP voters how the price hike would influence election outcomes. The move highlights how GOP leaders are using global energy turmoil to rally support, but may also risk backlash from voters wary of high costs.
At the Republican Party’s first midterms convention in College Station, Texas, President Donald Trump took the stage to declare that the Iran war would end "immediately" after the US elections and blamed the rising price of oil on the conflict.
Oil prices surged to around $100 per barrel on Wednesday, following attacks by US and Iranian forces on tankers in the Gulf of Oman and the Houthis’ strikes on Saudi oil facilities.
BBC reporter Sarah Smith sat in the crowd and asked a line of GOP voters how they believed the spike in oil costs would shape the upcoming election.
Trump’s remarks illustrate how Republican leaders are using the global energy crisis to rally support, however the strategy risks alienating voters who are already frustrated by soaring gasoline prices.
