US Has No Plan to Attack Iran Before Midterm Elections, White House Official Says

The United States has no plan to attack Iran before the November midterm elections, White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly has said, amid renewed attention to reports of discussions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Iran’s leadership.

Kelly was responding to Netanyahu’s remarks suggesting that Trump supported plans targeting Iran’s leadership. Asked about discussions between the two leaders concerning the Iranian government, she pointed to Iran’s economic and military difficulties and said the US blockade would remain in full force.

Kelly also said record volumes of oil would continue to move through the Strait of Hormuz, while ruling out a US attack on Iran before the midterm elections.

Trump has recently ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran and dismissed the possibility of deploying American ground troops inside the country.

The announcement comes as Washington faces continuing tensions with Tehran. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has maintained that the United States cannot regain Iran’s trust without meeting Tehran’s seven conditions. He has argued that Washington’s actions have deepened mistrust and that American threats and military movements will not change Iran’s strategic decisions.

Ghalibaf has also maintained that Iran does not seek war but remains prepared to defend its territory, adding that Washington must take the necessary steps to ease tensions.