Trump rules out Iran strikes before Nov. 3 midterms

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. He pointed to "productive discussions" with Tehran and said a U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports will stay in place.bloomberg+1

"We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd," Trump wrote on Truth Social. The post comes less than four weeks before the vote. The war, which began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Feb. 28, has become a campaign issue. Reuters reported that it costs about $3 billion a month, and high gasoline prices are weighing on Republican candidates.internazionale+2

Blockade stays, nuclear line repeated

Trump wrote that Iran is "in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily," and that "the Blockade will remain in full force and effect." He also said oil was flowing through the Strait of Hormuz in "Record Numbers of Barrels," citing 22 million barrels "last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!". The Economic Times said it could not independently verify that figure. He ended with: "IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"foxnews+1

Earlier Thursday, before the post, a White House official responded to reporting about possible strikes by telling Fox News that "President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States". While campaigning this week, Trump suggested the war could end around the time of the election but also left room for resuming full-scale military operations, the Associated Press reported.itv+1

The U.S. military is still sending more forces to the region. U.S. officials have said a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, could arrive as early as the end of October. The USS Abraham Lincoln was due back in San Diego Thursday after a record-long deployment. There have been reports of crew stress and shortages of supplies on board.itv

Stalled diplomacy

Iran's government said Thursday it would respond "in a few days" to Washington's latest peace proposal, according to Europa Press. In late September, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi offered at the U.N. General Assembly to reopen the strait and resume nuclear talks within seven days. In return, the U.S. would have to lift the blockade, waive oil sanctions and observe a ceasefire that also covers Lebanon. Trump rejected the offer on Sept. 26.economictimes.indiatimes+1

The two sides disagree over what to settle first. Tehran wants to start with Hormuz and the blockade, while Washington wants nuclear concessions.economictimes.indiatimes

Security risks in the strait remain. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said a crude oil tanker was hit by an "unknown projectile" on Wednesday while passing through it. No casualties were reported.foxnews

The fighting has started and stopped before. A ceasefire took hold April 8, and the U.S. imposed the blockade April 13. A June 14 deal briefly lifted the blockade, but fighting resumed July 8 and the blockade was reinstated July 14. Trump's pledge only runs through Election Day, and he did not say what would happen after that.bloomingbit+1