Trump Rules Out Iran Strike Before US Midterm Elections, Says Talks Are Progressing

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said the United States will not launch new attacks on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing what he described as productive discussions with Tehran.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said Washington was engaged in “productive discussions” with Iran, adding that the country was in a difficult economic and military position.

The US president said the American blockade would remain fully in force despite the ongoing diplomatic contacts. He also said that 22 million barrels of oil had passed through the Strait of Hormuz the previous night, claiming that none of the oil had originated from or been destined for Iran. The figure has not been independently verified.

Trump reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon, maintaining a hard line on Tehran’s nuclear programme even as he described the discussions between the two sides as productive.

His announcement follows reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon to prepare military options for possible strikes on Iranian targets. Trump did not specify what course of action Washington might take after the midterm elections.

The US and Iran have exchanged proposals aimed at ending the conflict and resolving the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy shipments. However, significant differences remain, and the continuation of the US blockade signals that diplomatic engagement has not yet produced a comprehensive settlement.

For now, Trump’s statement rules out a new US attack before November 3, while leaving Washington’s approach after the elections unspecified.