Trump: I don't want to cause a large number of Iranian deaths, but if ne

President Trump told Fox News on November 3 that the U.S. carried out "a very excellent strike" on Iran the previous night, saying he does not want to cause mass casualties but that "if we have to, that's the way it is." He declined to specify how his administration will handle Iran after the midterm elections, saying "we'll see." The remarks signal a willingness to escalate military action against Iran while framing it as reluctant, leaving open the possibility of further strikes. Investors should watch for follow-through on the stated strike, any Iranian retaliation, and post-midterm policy signals, given the potential for oil-price and risk-asset volatility.