Trump again threatens Iran strikes, says US may 'give them the hammer'
- Trump told an Iowa rally the US may still have to give Iran "the hammer" at some point.
- He said he has held back because he wants to save lives ahead of the November 3 midterms.
- Iran's army spokesman warned any new war could last longer than the last one.
US President Donald Trump has repeated his warning that Washington could strike Iran again, telling a rally in Iowa on Sunday that the decision has only been delayed, not dropped.
Speaking to supporters ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, Trump said he had held back because he wanted to avoid loss of life, but that military action could still come at an unspecified time. He described the option as giving Tehran “the hammer”.
The remark is the latest in a series of public threats from the US president, and it drew a quick response from Iran the same day.
Iran warns of a longer war
Iran's army spokesman, Mohammad Akraminia, said any fresh conflict with the United States could run longer than the previous round of fighting, according to Iranian state television.
He also said the American president would not be able to set the timing or the terms on which such a war would end.
Neither side gave details of what a new round of strikes would target, and there was no indication from Washington that an order had been given.
Why it matters in Nigeria
Nigeria is far from the Gulf, but a wider US–Iran conflict tends to reach Nigerian pockets quickly. Any fighting that threatens shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which much of the world's oil moves, can push up crude prices.
Higher crude prices usually mean higher petrol prices and transport costs in Nigeria, even though the country produces its own oil. Imported goods, food included, also become more expensive when freight and fuel costs rise.
Nigerians have already faced repeated pump price increases in recent years, and another global oil shock would add pressure on households and small businesses.
There is also the security angle. Nigerian authorities have in the past warned that Middle East conflicts can stir up local tensions and affect the safety of citizens and businesses in the region.
What happens next
All eyes are on the US midterm elections on November 3, after which Trump's political calculations may change. For now, the threats remain words, and Iran says it is ready for a longer fight if one comes.
Nigerians should watch oil prices and any movement in the naira's exchange rate in the coming days, as markets react to the rising rhetoric.
