Trump Appears Willing To Sacrifice Los Angeles, San Diego in Iran War as 'Small Price to Pay'

Donald Trump appeared to suggest that the potential destruction of Los Angeles or San Diego would be a 'small price to pay' as he defended the Iran war and its economic costs during a campaign rally in Nebraska on Monday.

The US President made the startling remarks while discussing higher prices linked to the conflict, telling supporters in Grand Island that the financial pain was worth bearing to protect the United States and the wider world.

'It's a little bit high. It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe,' Trump said.

He then added: 'They can take out a city. Let them take out Los Angeles. Let them take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay.'

Trump Names Los Angeles and San Diego During Iran War Remarks

Trump did not explain precisely what he meant by 'take out' or indicate that Iran was preparing a specific attack against Los Angeles or San Diego.

His comments came during a broader argument about the costs of the Iran war and the threat he says Tehran poses to American security.

The remarks appeared to invoke the destruction of the two California cities as an extreme hypothetical consequence while Trump argued that the costs associated with the conflict were justified.

Trump was speaking at the Pinnacle Bank Expo Center in Grand Island as he campaigned ahead of the 3 November midterm elections.

Trump Demands 'Tremendous Victory' in Iran War

Trump also made clear that he wanted the conflict to produce a decisive outcome.

'I want to see a tremendous victory,' he said. 'You want to see a tremendous victory because it verifies all the things we did.'

The president has continued defending the Iran war as concerns grow over its economic impact at home.

Energy prices have risen since Iran restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping route that normally carries roughly one-fifth of global oil supplies. Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure have also contributed to pressure on fuel markets.

Trump Claims Iran War Is 'Almost Over'

Despite the continuing conflict, Trump predicted that the fighting would soon end.

'It's going to be over very soon,' he said. 'It's essentially almost over with.'

Trump acknowledged that Iran 'might keep going a little long' and referred to Tehran's supposed ability to withstand prolonged pressure.

'They always say they have a big threshold for pain,' Trump said. 'They need it. Let me tell you, they need it.'

He added that the conflict would 'end one way or the other'.

Trump has previously faced scrutiny over his shifting predictions about the duration of the Iran war. He repeatedly predicted in March that the conflict would last four to six weeks.

Iran War Puts Pressure on US Fuel Prices

Trump's Los Angeles and San Diego comments come as rising petrol prices create political pressure ahead of the US midterm elections.

The president has sought to defend the economic consequences of the war while arguing that protecting the country from Iran justifies the cost.

Trump has also blamed elevated petrol prices partly on Ukrainian attacks against Russian refineries and refinery closures in Democratic-led US states, including California.

His latest remarks went further by explicitly naming Los Angeles and San Diego while describing the potential costs of pursuing the Iran war as comparatively small.