President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, while keeping a blockade of Iranian ports in place.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the midterm elections. In a Truth Social post reported by CNN, he wrote that the United States would not attack Iran at any time before the elections on November 3.
CNN reported that Trump also said the administration was having productive discussions with Tehran and that his main goal was to keep Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He said the blockade of Iranian ports would remain in full force and effect.
The statement followed reporting that the Pentagon had been told to finish preparations for a possible return to major combat operations, without a set date. The New York Times reported that the military is still preparing options, and that Trump had vetoed five proposals in recent months for major operations against Iran or the Houthis.
The Times said the U.S. response has been more muted in recent weeks even as Iran stepped up attacks on oil tankers. CNN noted that officials link flare-ups with Iran to oil-price spikes and cost-of-living pressure ahead of the elections.
The post sets a political deadline rather than an end to the confrontation. It does not lift the port blockade, and it does not say what happens after November 3.
People Sentiments Neutral
- Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterms.
- He said discussions with Tehran were productive and that the port blockade would stay in place.