United States President Donald Trump has ruled out launching fresh attacks on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing what he described as productive discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, following a rise in global oil prices amid reports that the US military was considering options for new strikes against Iranian targets before the elections.
The US president said the blockade against Iran would remain in place but insisted that Washington would not launch attacks before Americans head to the polls.
“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” Trump wrote.
He added that the United States was engaged in what he described as productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Trump’s statement followed a report by The Atlantic magazine on Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options for striking Iranian targets before the midterm elections. The New York Times also reported on Thursday that military options were being prepared despite what it described as Trump’s uncertainty over the plans.
The uncertainty surrounding possible military action contributed to a surge in crude oil prices, alongside continued tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage through which a significant share of the world’s oil supply is transported.
Hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia have also added to concerns about regional stability and potential disruptions to global energy supplies.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, climbed to $105.88 per barrel on Thursday before retreating to $104.28. Rising fuel prices have become a major concern for American consumers, with polls indicating widespread dissatisfaction over the cost of petrol following US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28, which triggered the conflict.
Putin Offers to Help End Middle East War
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to do everything within Moscow’s power to help bring the Middle East conflict to an end.
Putin made the commitment on Thursday during talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, ahead of a Commonwealth of Independent States, CIS, summit scheduled to begin on Friday in Avaza, a resort on the Caspian Sea.
According to Russian news agencies, Putin said Moscow was prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at resolving the crisis. He also acknowledged what he described as Iran’s efforts to bring the conflict to an end.
Russia and Iran have strengthened their diplomatic and military relationship since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with both countries increasingly relying on their ties amid international tensions.
Pezeshkian, however, expressed doubts about the prospects for negotiations with Washington, accusing the United States of repeatedly launching attacks while diplomatic discussions were ongoing.
Iranian state media quoted him as saying that Tehran remained committed to dialogue but had repeatedly faced military action during previous negotiations with the Americans.
The Iranian president said his government wanted a final framework for ending the war but warned that an agreement would be difficult to achieve if Washington continued to impose its preferred terms on other countries.
Midterm Elections Raise Political Stakes for Trump
The November 3 midterm elections are expected to have significant implications for the remainder of Trump’s presidential term, as his Republican Party faces the possibility of losing its current control of Congress.
Although Trump is not personally contesting the election, he has been holding rallies across the country in an effort to support Republican candidates and limit potential losses.
The president has warned that Democrats could pursue a third impeachment if they regain control of the House of Representatives. The White House is also preparing for the possibility of congressional investigations into allegations of corruption and abuse of power.
Trump also sought to defend comments he made at a rally earlier in the week, when he referred to the possibility of Iran attacking the American cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.
The president accused what he called fake news outlets of misrepresenting his remarks, arguing that he had been explaining the potential cost of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said a temporary increase in petrol prices was a small price to pay to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He then asked Americans to consider the consequences if the country were able to bomb Los Angeles or San Diego.
The developments come as the United States faces mounting pressure over fuel costs, regional security and the potential political consequences of the conflict ahead of the midterm elections.
Source: PUNCH
