Trump Accuses Iran of Delaying Peace Deal Amid Midterm Elections

In a recent Cabinet meeting, President Trump accused Iran of attempting to delay a peace agreement until after the midterm elections, believing they could outlast him politically. He claimed Iran's military capabilities are severely diminished, despite intelligence suggesting otherwise. Trump also made controversial statements regarding fuel prices and prescription drug costs, which were contradicted by data. Additionally, he discussed a $13 million project to improve the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, criticizing previous administrations for their spending. This article delves into the accuracy of Trump's claims and the implications for US-Iran relations.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 28, 2026, 04:45 IST

Trump's Claims on Iran's Strategy

During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Donald Trump accused Iran of trying to postpone a peace agreement, hoping to gain more favorable terms after the upcoming midterm elections in November. He stated that Iran believes it can politically outlast him, saying, "They thought they were going to outwait me, you know, ‘we'll outwait him, he's got the midterms.'" Trump expressed confidence that this strategy, which he suggested involves ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affecting global markets, would ultimately fail. He asserted that Iran is eager to reach a deal, dismissing concerns about the midterms by referencing a recent political victory in Texas.

Iran's Military Capabilities

Iran War

Trump discussed Iran's military strength, claiming, "Their navy is gone, their air force is gone, everything's gone." While US and Israeli military actions have indeed weakened Iran's military infrastructure since late February, intelligence reports indicate that Iran still maintains significant military capabilities. Trump previously stated that Iran's missiles are "82% gone" and that its drone capabilities are largely diminished. However, reports suggest that approximately half of Iran's missile launchers remain functional, and the country still has thousands of operational one-way attack drones. Furthermore, US intelligence indicates that Iran's military recovery efforts are advancing more rapidly than anticipated.

Fuel Prices and Drug Costs

Price Rise

Trump also claimed that fuel prices had significantly decreased during his recent visit to Iowa, stating he saw gas prices as low as $1.90 per gallon. However, data from the American Automobile Association indicated that the average price for regular gasoline in Iowa was $2.57 per gallon on that day. Only a few stations were found selling gas below $2, with one near Trump's speaking venue charging $2.69. Additionally, Trump made statements regarding prescription drug prices, claiming reductions of 400% to 600%. However, such reductions are mathematically impossible, as a 100% reduction would mean the product is free. He also reiterated his claim about securing "$18 trillion in investments," while the White House's records show approximately $10.6 trillion in major investment announcements during his presidency.

Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool Project

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

The Trump administration is currently managing a project exceeding $13 million aimed at enhancing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. During the Cabinet meeting, Trump criticized past administrations, claiming they spent hundreds of millions trying to fix the pool. Records indicate that the Obama administration allocated around $35 million for repairs, while the Biden administration did not initiate any major rehabilitation efforts. Former National Park Service director Chuck Sams noted that Biden's team received an estimate over $100 million for a complete overhaul, but the project was never executed.