Trump says US will not attack Iran before November midterm elections

Washington, United States. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the US would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm congressional elections, describing talks between the two countries on ending the six-month-old war as “productive”.

Talks on ending the war

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the midterm elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd.”

Iran and the US have exchanged proposals in recent weeks aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy shipping route. Trump rejected Tehran’s latest offer.

Trump has repeatedly said he expects oil prices to fall after the elections, but has not offered a detailed plan for exiting the war.

Domestic political pressure

The war began in February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran. It has contributed to a decline in Trump’s domestic approval ratings and is weighing heavily on Republicans as they seek to retain their narrow legislative majorities in November’s election.

About 60% of Americans, including one in four Republicans, disapprove of Trump’s handling of the situation in Iran, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.

The conflict has pushed gasoline prices sharply higher at a time when voters identify the cost of living as their top concern.

Dispute over uranium enrichment

Iran’s state media reported on Thursday that Tehran would not abandon uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium stockpile, citing the head of the country’s Atomic Energy Organisation.

The report came days after US Vice President JD Vance told Reuters that Iran must make “meaningful” reductions in its enrichment capacity.

The US, Israel and Western allies have long accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons. Iran has denied the accusation.