WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump ruled out new U.S. strikes on Iran before the pivotal midterm elections after oil prices jumped and stocks fell over concerns that he could resume military attacks.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would not “be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections” that will be held in November.
Trump’s comments came after The Atlantic reported that the White House directed the Pentagon to come up with limited strike options in Iran that could be used before the midterms. More substantial military action after the midterms was also said to be under consideration.
US President Donald Trump attends a campaign rally for Republican US Senate candidate Ken Paxton at Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas, US, October 7, 2026. REUTERS/Evan Vucci
The president has said he is weighing whether to annihilate Iran and faced a “big decision” on how to conclude the war that’s in its eighth month. He has also said repeatedly that he expects the conflict to end immediately after the election, which will determine the balance of power in Congress.
With the midterms dead ahead, Trump said in his Oct. 8 post that the United States has been having productive negotiations with Iran, which he said was in “very bad condition,” and no military action was imminent.
“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, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), 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.
The amount of crude oil flowing through the strait is in dispute, with the U.S. government arguing that output is back at prewar levels. Analysts say otherwise.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump rules out new strikes on Iran before the midterms