Kathmandu— President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed the ongoing military conflict with Iran, calling it 'small potatoes' and 'not a big thing' despite the deaths of 18 US service members, heightened global energy prices, and a seven-month stalemate with no end in sight, as the administration seeks to minimize the conflict's political and economic impact ahead of midterm elections.

Strategic Terminology Shift

Trump's recent remarks at an Oval Office signing event marked a continuation of his pattern of avoiding the term 'war' to describe the military actions against Iran. The president compared the conflict to the failed Venezuela operation, noting that no US personnel were lost in the latter while 18 died in the Iran-related incidents. He emphasized that the situation is 'not a big thing,' framing it as a minor military operation rather than a protracted conflict.

The administration has consistently used phrases like 'little skirmish,' 'little detour,' and 'little excursion' to characterize the fighting, which began on February 28. Trump's latest comments align with Vice President JD Vance's earlier assertion that the conflict had 'cooled,' despite recent exchanges of intense fire between US and Iranian forces, suggesting a deliberate effort to downplay the severity of the situation.

With midterm elections approaching and peace talks stalled, the administration continues to frame the conflict as a temporary military operation while facing growing bipartisan opposition and public disapproval.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.