US President Donald Trump has ruled out launching fresh military strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing what he described as productive discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump made the announcement on Thursday through his Truth Social platform amid rising global oil prices and reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon to prepare options for potential attacks on Iranian targets.
“While Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” Trump wrote.
He added that the United States was holding “productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The announcement came after reports by The Atlantic and The New York Times indicated that the US military was considering possible strike options, although the latter noted Trump’s uncertainty over the plans.
Oil prices have climbed amid concerns about a possible escalation of the conflict, persistent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, rose to $105.88 per barrel on Thursday before easing to $104.28.
The surge has added to concerns over fuel costs in the United States, where voters have expressed dissatisfaction with rising petrol prices following US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to do everything within Moscow’s power to help end the Middle East conflict.
Putin made the commitment on Thursday during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, ahead of a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States scheduled to begin on Friday.
“We are ready to do everything that is in our power to contribute to the settlement of this situation,” Putin said, according to Russian media reports.
He also said Iran had made genuine efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic and military ties since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, Pezeshkian expressed doubts about Washington’s commitment to negotiations, accusing the United States of repeatedly attacking Iran during periods of dialogue.
“We are engaged in dialogue, but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again,” Iranian state media quoted him as saying.
The Iranian president said Tehran wanted a final framework for ending the war but warned that a resolution would remain elusive if Washington continued to impose its policies unilaterally.
Midterm Elections Raise Political Stakes
Trump’s announcement comes as the November 3 midterm elections approach, with his Republican Party facing the possibility of losing control of Congress.
Although the president is not personally on the ballot, he has embarked on a series of campaign rallies aimed at protecting his party’s congressional majority.
Trump has warned that Democrats could pursue a third impeachment if they regain control of the House of Representatives, while the White House is reportedly preparing for investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power.
The president also sought to clarify remarks he made at a rally earlier in the week concerning the possibility of Iranian attacks on Los Angeles and San Diego.
Blaming what he described as “fake and artificial news” for misrepresenting his comments, Trump argued that Americans should view a temporary rise in petrol prices as a small sacrifice compared with the potential consequences of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.
His latest statement appears aimed at easing fears of an imminent military escalation as the administration navigates both the conflict with Iran and mounting domestic political pressure.
