Trump Rules Out Iran Strike Before November Midterms, Cites Productive Talks

President Donald Trump announced Thursday on Truth Social that the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3rd midterm elections, saying the two sides are engaged in productive diplomatic discussions. Trump described Iran as being in "very bad condition" both economically and militarily, while vowing that Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon and pledging to keep an existing blockade fully in force.

Trump also claimed that oil is now flowing through the Strait of Hormuz at record volumes, citing 22 million barrels on the previous night alone, with none of that flow involving Iranian oil. Earlier on Wednesday he predicted the war with Iran would end "very quickly" and that oil prices would "come tumbling down" as a result, adding that the US has already stripped Iran of its nuclear capability.

The announcement comes as the Pentagon had reportedly directed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for resuming major combat operations, even though no strike date had been set and no final decision made. Trump had previously signaled that ramped-up military action was possible after the midterms, and Bloomberg reported this week that oil markets have largely begun tuning out his Iran commentary, reflecting trader skepticism about imminent escalation. The ruling out of a pre-midterm strike effectively signals a diplomatic window through at least early November, while leaving the question of post-election military options explicitly open.