Iranian leaders believe the can "outlast" the United States and are hoping President Donald Trump comes out of the upcoming midterms elections in a weaker position, Fox News senior strategic analyst Ret. Gen. Jack Keane said.

As the country struggles to maintain is economy amid harsher U.S. sanctions, Tehran believes it can wait until the elections in hopes that Democrats pick up congressional seats and Trump loses support support for the ongoing war, Keane told "Special Report."

"I think the Iranian threat will continue their aggression as we get closer to the midterms, and maybe increase it... because they clearly want President Trump to lose these midterm elections and be in a weaker position," he said. "They think in their minds they can outlast us, that time is on their side."

During an appearance on FOX Business' "Kudlow," Keane said Iranian leaders don't care about the suffering of Iranians, but only about holding together the leadership infrastructure that sustains the regime.