Tehran: The ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States continue to escalate as President Donald Trump anticipates the conclusion of the conflict following the US midterm elections. Speaking at a Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Trump asserted that the war with Iran would conclude shortly after the elections, emphasizing the significance of the upcoming November 3 vote. According to Deutsche Welle, President Trump reiterated his justification for launching attacks on Iran, aiming to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. He assured that oil prices would decrease once the US emerged victorious in the conflict. However, rising fuel costs remain a concern for the Republican Party as Brent crude prices surged past $100 per barrel, partly due to the recent US strikes on Iranian oil tankers. Middle East expert Mohammad Ghaedi from George Washington University highlights that Iran views escalation as a strategic tool for bargaining rather than an end goal. Ghaedi explained that Tehran aims to impose costs on the US while avoiding actions that might provoke a full-scale war, maintaining a level of pressure without crossing a critical threshold. Tehran's preferred resolution involves returning to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a preliminary agreement that previously paused hostilities. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed willingness to return to this agreement if the US reciprocates. However, the memorandum's stipulation requiring Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon presents a significant hurdle, as Iran views this condition as unlikely before Israel's elections. As political dynamics unfold, senior advisers to President Trump have reportedly urged him to limit military escalation to prevent potential repercussions during the midterms. The White House is considering expanding military actions post-elections, while Iran remains cautious, especially if Democrats gain control of Congress and attempt to constrain the President's conduct of the war. Economic pressures on Iran are expected to persist, yet Ahmad Alavi, an Iranian economics professor, warns that such measures alone may not yield political concessions. He suggests that Iran might resort to military escalation if it perceives the pressure as a threat to its regime's survival, unless a genuine prospect of negotiation emerges. In pursuit of a diplomatic resolution, Gulf states, including Oman, are preparing to engage with Iran in Salalah, Oman, seeking a deal to ensure the safety of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. However, any potential agreement would necessitate US approval, considering the longstanding naval blockade against Iran. Despite these developments, Iran's public stance remains defiant. Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ali Nikzad and Hossein Mohebbi, spokesperson for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, have both reiterated Iran's resolve to continue the conflict until achieving victory. Recent developments include the IRGC's capture of a US unmanned underwater vehicle in the Strait of Hormuz, r eportedly on a covert mission, further escalating the situation.