Iran may trigger conflict before midterms to damage Trump: Trita Parsi

With US midterm elections looming and oil prices hovering at around $97 a barrel, questions remain over Washington's strategy in the Strait of Hormuz and its conflict with Iran. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft said the US is "overstating" its success in stabilising shipping through the Strait, while acknowledging that US escorts are helping more vessels pass through. He warned Iran may seek to trigger conflict before the midterms to damage President Donald Trump politically, but said a "humiliated" Trump after the elections could become "much more desperate and reckless", increasing the risk of further escalation. Parsi also said China is pursuing its own interests by reducing oil demand to help prevent a global recession, rather than assisting the US against Iran, and argued that both sides are "overstating the degree to which they are getting support." Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/aljazeeraenglish/ Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #DonaldTrump #Iran #UnitedStates #USMiderms #IranWar #StraitOfHormuz #HormuzCrisis #WarOnIran #OperationEconomicOutcast #USIranAttacks #IranSanctions #USNavalBlockadOnIran