TRUMP RULES OUT ATTACKING IRAN BEFORE US MIDTERM ELECTIONS
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Agency Report
US President Donald Trump has ruled out attacking Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, saying Washington is holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.
Trump made the announcement on Thursday through his Truth Social platform, following a surge in oil prices triggered by media reports suggesting the United States was considering fresh strikes against Iranian targets before the elections.
“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,” he wrote.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added, without providing further details about the talks.
The Atlantic reported on Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes against Iranian targets that could be carried out before the midterm elections.
The New York Times published a similar report on Thursday, saying the plans were being developed despite what it described as Trump’s “ambivalence”.
Oil prices have also been driven higher by persistent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for global oil shipments, as well as hostilities between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
In a recent incident highlighting the tensions, an oil tanker sailing off the northern coast of Qatar reported being struck by “multiple projectiles”, resulting in an unspecified number of casualties, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency on Wednesday.
Rising fuel prices have become a concern for the Trump administration ahead of the midterm elections, with polls indicating widespread dissatisfaction among US voters over the cost of petrol amid the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began in February.
Trump has repeatedly claimed in recent weeks that the United States has effectively won the war against Iran, despite continuing unrest and security concerns.
He has also insisted that fuel prices would fall once the conflict ends, although the increases have continued to generate public concern.
The November 3 elections will determine the balance of power in Congress during the final two years of Trump’s presidential term, as his Republican Party faces the possibility of losing its current control of the legislature.
Although Trump is not on the ballot, he has actively campaigned for Republican candidates, holding rallies in an effort to limit potential losses.
The president has warned that he could face a third impeachment if Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives. The White House is also preparing for possible investigations into alleged corruption and abuse of power.
Meanwhile, Trump sought to clarify remarks he made at a rally earlier in the week, when he said Iran could “take out” the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.
The comments drew criticism from Democrats, who accused him of making alarming statements about the potential consequences of the conflict.
Trump blamed what he described as “fake and artificial news” for misinterpreting his remarks.
“In actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a nuclear weapon and, if you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?” he wrote on Truth Social.
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