Trump says further Iran strikes are “possible” after US midterm elections.

US President Donald Trump has declined to rule out further American strikes on Iran after the midterm elections, saying on 28 October that “anything is possible” when asked whether the United States might attack again once voters have gone to the polls.

The remark came in the final stretch before the 3 November midterm elections, as Republicans face the political strain of a war in Iran that has not gained broad public support. Trump did not give a firm commitment either way, leaving his administration’s next steps unclear.

The political backdrop is sharpened by the rising financial cost of the conflict. Data from the US Department of Defense shows that the US military has spent more than $47bn on waging war in Iran so far, equivalent to about ¥7.4tn.

That figure is more than 25% higher than an estimate the department gave in July. The latest estimate has not been made public, and the Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The combination of uncertainty over future military action and the growing cost of the campaign places the Iran war at the centre of a difficult election-year calculation for Republicans. With the midterms days away, the party is trying to manage the domestic fallout from a conflict that remains politically contentious.

Trump’s comment offered no detailed explanation of what circumstances might prompt another attack, nor did it clarify whether any decision had been made. For now, his answer keeps open the possibility of renewed action while avoiding a definitive pledge before voters cast their ballots.