President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States will not attack Iran before the 3 November midterms, while saying port pressure on Iran will continue.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the midterm elections. In a Truth Social post cited by CNN, he wrote that the United States will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the elections on 3 November, and that the administration is having productive discussions with Tehran. He said his main goal is to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.
CNN reported that the post came after media accounts of planning for possible new strikes before the election. Trump said the blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force and effect.
The New York Times reported that the US military is still preparing options to restart major combat operations against Iran, even as Trump has shown ambivalence about restarting the war. Officials told the Times that Trump's national security team and the Pentagon have made five proposals for major operations against Iran or the Houthis, and that he vetoed each.
The Times said the US military response has been more muted in recent weeks despite Iranian attacks on oil tankers. Officials know that US-Iran flare-ups have pushed oil prices higher, a cost-of-living issue for Republican candidates, CNN reported.
Thursday's change is the public ruling-out of a strike before 3 November. It is not a report that talks have produced an agreement, and the Times account says planning options remain on the shelf.
People Sentiments Neutral
- Trump wrote that the United States will not attack Iran before the 3 November midterms and that discussions with Tehran are productive.