- Trump states no military strikes on Iran before elections.
- Decision provides relief amidst US-Iran tensions.
- President cited Iran's economic and military condition.
Washington/New Delhi: In a sigh of relief for Iran, US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he will not order a resumption of military strikes on Tehran before the November 3 midterm elections in the United States. Trump, while stumping for Republicans this week, has hinted that was confident that at endgame to the war cold come in the days before or after the election, while also hinting that he remained open to resuming full-scale military operations against Iran.
But Trump in a social media post on Thursday said the US "will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd".
"We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. 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. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!," wrote President Trump on his social media platform.
"I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily... we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd." - President Donald J. Trump 🇺🇸 https://t.co/o1kUjMXZWt
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) October 8, 2026
Why did Trump choose November 3 as the deadline?
The war, which began in February when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, has helped drive Trump's domestic approval ratings downward and is weighing heavily on his fellow Republicans as they seek to preserve their narrow legislative majorities in November's election.
ALSO READ: Trump's Approval Rating Hits Career-Low 32% Amid Iran War Fiasco And Rising Costs: Survey
Some 60 per cent of Americans, including one in four Republicans, disapprove of how Trump is handling the situation in Iran, according to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The conflict has pushed gasoline prices sharply higher at a time when voters say their top concern is the cost of living. Trump has repeatedly said he expects oil prices to drop after the elections, but he has not offered a detailed plan for exiting the war.
Trump rejected Iran's latest proposal
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.
ALSO READ: Why Riyadh Is Suddenly In The Line Of Fire: How Houthis Became Part Of Iran War | Explained
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 Organization, 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, an accusation Iran has denied.
(With inputs from agencies)