US President Donald Trump has predicted that the six-month-old war with Iran will end shortly after the November midterm elections, while again threatening to strike a nuclear-linked site in Iran. His comments came after Iran and the United States exchanged their largest attacks on shipping since the conflict began, further disrupting key energy routes.

Iran said it attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after the US sank five Iranian oil tankers. The escalation pushed Brent crude above $100 a barrel as shipping through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea remained heavily disrupted. Only seven vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to preliminary tracking data, about half the 10-day average.

Trump accused Tehran of trying to influence the US elections, saying Iran was desperate and could no longer sustain the conflict. However, a Wall Street Journal report said senior White House officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, had privately warned Trump that the war could continue for the remainder of his presidency, although Reuters said it could not immediately verify the report.

Trump also warned Iran against activity at Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified site containing deeply buried tunnel complexes near the damaged Natanz uranium enrichment facility. He threatened to strike the location “very hard” if Iran continued activity there.

Meanwhile, tensions have also intensified between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Saudi authorities issued another emergency alert in Khamis Mushait on Thursday after recent Houthi attacks reportedly wounded at least 73 people in four southern Saudi cities. The renewed fighting has added to concerns over disruptions to Middle Eastern energy supplies.