U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will not launch an attack on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, while saying Washington and Tehran are engaged in “productive discussions.”
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the United States would not attack Iran at any point before the elections, while leaving open the possibility of continued diplomatic efforts between the two countries.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote.
Trump said Iran remained in a difficult economic and military situation and emphasized that the U.S. blockade would remain in place. He also reiterated his position that Iran would not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon.
The U.S. president also claimed that oil was continuing to move through the Strait of Hormuz at record levels, saying that 22 million barrels had passed through the waterway during the previous night and that none of the oil had originated in or been destined for Iran. That figure was presented by Trump in his social media post.
Trump’s announcement comes as Washington and Tehran continue efforts to find a way to end the conflict and restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global energy supplies. The two sides have exchanged proposals in recent weeks, although significant disagreements remain, including over Iran’s nuclear program and the future of the strait.
The statement also follows reports that U.S. military officials had been preparing options for a possible resumption of major combat operations against Iran. Trump’s declaration rules out such an attack before the November 3 elections, at least according to his stated position.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance said earlier this week that Iran would need to make a “meaningful” reduction in its nuclear enrichment capacity for Washington to consider an end to the conflict. Iran has continued to reject demands that it abandon uranium enrichment or surrender its uranium stockpile.
Despite Trump’s comments about record oil flows, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has remained a major point of tension. Recent attacks on tankers have disrupted traffic and contributed to renewed volatility in global oil markets.
Trump concluded his post by reiterating his position on Iran’s nuclear program: “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon.”
