Trump leaves door open to Iran strike before midterms, less than a day after ruling it out

Asked about possible US strikes on Iran before the midterms, Trump said, "We may. I mean, we'll see." Trump also discussed the Russian diesel deal and the Fort Hood shooter.

US President Donald Trump signaled on Friday that he is not ruling out renewed military action against Iran before the midterm elections, less than a day after categorically saying that the United States would not strike Tehran before Americans go to the polls.

Asked outside the White House why military action against Iran was tied to the midterms and why the US was not acting now, Trump replied: "We may. I mean, we'll see."

The remark marked a notable shift in tone from Trump's statement a day earlier, when he said the United States "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections."

Trump went on to again portray Iran as being in severe distress following the conflict.

"Their country is failing badly. Their military is defeated. They have no navy. They have no air force," Trump said. He also claimed that inflation in Iran had reached 300%, adding that the country was "in very bad shape."

Trump praises Putin over Russian diesel deal

The president also addressed the newly announced energy agreement with Russia, under which Moscow is expected to supply large quantities of diesel fuel to the US and global markets.

"I think you heard about the oil deal with Russia. That is a big deal," Trump said. "That is massive amounts of oil coming into our country, and I want to thank President Putin."

Trump clarified that the shipments would include diesel, saying: "It's diesel, which is what we want." He argued that the additional supply would help drive energy prices lower.

Trump on Fort Hood shooter: 'As long as he goes'

Trump also spoke about the planned execution of Nidal Hasan, the gunman responsible for the 2009 mass shooting at Fort Hood.

Trump said Hasan would be executed by firing squad and defended the use of the death penalty in the case.

"He killed 13, 14 people, badly wounded 20-some-odd people, and he's totally nuts," Trump said. "So I really don't care how he goes, as long as he goes. And I think that the death penalty is a very worthy way of going for him."

Asked whether he had approved plans for the execution to be livestreamed, Trump said that he had.