Trump says no Iran strikes before midterms amid ‘productive’ talks

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Thursday the United States would not attack Iran prior to the November midterm elections, citing “productive discussions” between the two sides. 

“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition ... 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 said in a Truth Social post. 

The Atlantic reported Wednesday that Trump asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes to be exercised ahead of the midterm elections. The price of Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, rose more than 5% over $105 per barrel Thursday following the report. 

Washington and Tehran continue indirect talks mediated by Qatar to end the seven-month war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. A preliminary deal reached in June paved the way for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program but collapsed as Iran resumed strikes amid disagreements over the control of the strategic waterway. 

During talks on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York last month, Tehran said the strategic strait would remain closed until Washington meets its seven conditions, which include lifting the US naval blockade and releasing frozen assets. 

The US Treasury Department announced new sanctions Thursday described as the “most significant blow yet” to the maritime network supporting Iran’s illicit oil trade.

The department designated 17 vessels it said were part of the so-called shadow fleet of vessels responsible for transporting millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products to markets in South and East Asia.  

The Trump administration says sanctions imposed under Operation Economic Outcast, combined with its naval blockade on Iranian ports, have successfully halted Iran’s seaborne oil exports. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a Treasury official said the department had not identified any unloading of Iranian oil cargoes so far in October.

“The current economic picture for Iran is grim,” the official said, pointing to wage reductions and a currency in freefall. “We're seeing inflation concentrated among core Iranian consumer goods, which is unfortunate, because it means the Iranian regime is continuing to prioritize shooting ships in the Strait of Hormuz over feeding their people.”

This developing story has been updated since its initial publication.