[U.S. Midterm Elections: Day of Reckoning] War Costs Top 63 Trillion Won, but Trump Calls It "Pocket Change"

A day before the U.S. midterms
Seeks to allay fears of a prolonged war
Again raises prospect of striking Pickaxe Mountain

One day before the November 3 midterm elections, U.S. President Donald Trump described the military conflict with Iran as a "weak war" and dismissed its costs, which have already exceeded 63 trillion won, as "peanuts." He appears to be trying to contain concerns about a prolonged war, which have become a political liability for Republicans.

U.S. President Donald Trump walks to the Oval Office with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum at the White House on the 2nd (local time). (AP-Yonhap News)

According to Fox News on November 2 (local time), Trump said in an interview aired that day, "We are not at war. When was the last time we fired a weapon?" He added, "This isn't a war; it's a very weak war—a soft war."

"War means actually fighting. Look at World War I and World War II," he said. "When was the last time we engaged Iran? We've been talking for months without any gunfire."

He made the remarks shortly after the United States launched an airstrike on Iran's Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz that day. The United States launched a retaliatory strike after Iran fired at a U.S. military aircraft. U.S. officials said the strike was a defensive measure and did not signal a resumption of full-scale military attacks on Iran.

Trump said he was in no hurry to resume military attacks, but warned that the United States could launch powerful additional strikes if nuclear negotiations collapsed. "Operation Midnight Hammer destroyed all of Iran's potential nuclear capabilities," he said. "We may have to strike Pickaxe Mountain again, but it's not a big problem. We can do it in an hour."

Pickaxe Mountain, which Trump named as a potential target after also mentioning it on October 31, is suspected of containing underground nuclear facilities. However, analysts say the facilities lie deep inside a mountain made of granite, making them difficult to destroy even with the United States' most advanced weapons.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks with Rep. Ashley Hinson, the Republican Senate candidate, at a campaign rally at the Five Flags Event Center in Dubuque, Iowa, on the 1st (local time). AP-Yonhap News Agency

Trump also said, "There is no intense war going on right now," adding, "There could be a war if Iran does not reach an agreement, but they desperately want a deal. The chances of reaching one are very high."

As the conflict with Iran enters its eighth month, the enormous cost of the war has become a political liability for Republicans ahead of the midterm elections. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, the cost of the war so far has exceeded $47 billion (approximately 63 trillion won). The issue of Iran has emerged as a major factor in the election, compounded by economic repercussions such as rising gasoline prices.

Trump, however, called the cost of the war "peanuts" and argued that the spending was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. "Iran's army, navy, air force and air defenses are all gone," he said. "It still has some missiles and drones, but not many, and its ability to produce more is extremely limited." He added, "What we have done is amazing."

Trump stressed that the United States was negotiating with Iran from a position of overwhelming advantage, saying, "We are completely in a position of strength, and we can end this conflict at any time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.