US President Donald Trump has signalled that the war with Iran could end soon, while suggesting Tehran could be weakened further before Washington shifts its focus to Cuba.
Addressing an election rally on Friday, Trump claimed oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing at levels above those seen before the war. He said the key question was whether to end the conflict or keep up the pressure on Iran.
"The question is, do we end the war or do we let Iran get even weaker?" Trump said, according to his remarks.
He said oil was continuing to move through the Strait of Hormuz, claiming that more oil was being exported through the strategic waterway than before the war. Trump also said the United States was extracting oil through the strait on its own terms and praised the US Navy for its performance.
Trump said Iran was facing economic difficulties, inflation and financial pressure, suggesting that the pressure on Tehran was mounting.
The president also revisited his claims of having ended eight wars around the world, saying he had used tariffs to stop five of them. He complained that he had not received the Nobel Peace Prize despite what he described as his role in ending conflicts.
Trump specifically cited the conflict between Pakistan and India, both nuclear-armed countries, claiming he had helped prevent a war by warning the two sides that they would face trade restrictions if fighting continued.
He said he had threatened to impose heavy tariffs if they failed to stop the conflict and claimed that 11 aircraft had been shot down during the Pakistan-India fighting.
He described ending wars as an honour and said the United Nations had not helped him in those efforts.
Turning to Cuba, Trump said the United States would address the country after dealing with Iran, suggesting that US naval forces could stop near the island on their return and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio would be sent in to "finish up the deal".
Rubio, whose family is of Cuban origin, has been a key figure in the administration's Cuba policy.
Trump's remarks come as his administration has intensified pressure on Cuba through an oil blockade that has worsened fuel shortages and blackouts amid the island's deteriorating infrastructure. UN human rights experts have condemned the blockade, describing it as a violation of international law.
Trump has openly expressed a desire to change Cuba's government. In September, he described the country as a "failed state" and said "freedom will be coming to Cuba" during remarks at the United Nations General Assembly, prompting the Cuban delegation to walk out.
The Florida rally also served to boost Republican Representative Byron Donalds' campaign for governor against Democrat David Jolly.
Trump discussed a $250 million plan to hire at least 5,000 nurses for elder-care facilities and attacked Minnesota Republican Representative Ilhan Omar, while referring to Somalia as a "shithouse country".
Rising oil prices remain a concern for Republicans ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, as the administration weighs its next steps in the war with Iran.
