President’s remarks come as midterm elections look to be defined by economic concerns sparked by the conflict. Key US politics stories from Wednesday 13 May at a glance.
Donald Trump has said preventing Iran obtaining a nuclear weapon is “the only thing that matters” as the US midterm election campaign season looks to be defined by mounting economic concerns sparked by the conflict.
“I think about one thing: we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. That’s all,” the US president told reporters at the White House before boarding a plane to China.
Trump made the remarks in the hours after official figures revealed that US prices had risen 3.8% in the year to April – their fastest pace since 2023 – driven largely by energy costs that have surged since the US and Israel first attacked Iran in late February.
Gasoline now averages over $4.50 a gallon, according to the American Automobile Association (AAA), which makes it the highest price in four years. Food prices are also up nearly 4%, electricity and utility bills have climbed, and airlines have raised fares by more than 20%.
Trump’s top officials have spent months struggling to explain when, or whether, such pressures will fade.
