US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that Washington would not launch fresh military strikes against Iran before the November 3 congressional midterm elections, citing progress in ongoing diplomatic talks with Tehran.
Trump described discussions between the two countries as productive, even as tensions remain high over Iran’s nuclear programme and restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
The president said US special envoy Steve Witkoff was working towards an agreement with Tehran, while reiterating that Washington would not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons.
Trump also maintained that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place despite the continuing negotiations.
The announcement follows reports that Trump’s national security team had considered potential military operations against Iran ahead of the elections, raising concerns about renewed escalation in the region.
According to NBC News, US and Iranian officials held indirect discussions in New York this month focused on Tehran’s nuclear programme and other outstanding disputes.
Trump suggested that Iran was increasingly willing to make concessions to end the conflict, although he acknowledged that reaching an agreement was not necessarily his preferred option.
He also predicted that US involvement in the conflict would soon wind down, claiming that an eventual resolution would trigger a sharp decline in global oil prices.
The president further asserted that record volumes of oil were moving through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that has faced repeated disruptions during the conflict.
His decision to rule out further strikes before the elections comes as the war and rising energy costs weigh on his Republican Party’s prospects of retaining control of Congress.
However, Trump’s announcement offered no guarantees against renewed US military action after the November vote, leaving uncertainty over the longer-term direction of Washington’s confrontation with Tehran.
