Politics · United States · 4 hrs ago
Trump rules out attacking Iran before US midterm elections
Donald Trump says the US will not attack Iran before November 3, the date of the US midterm elections.
The US and Israel began attacking Iran on February 28, and Iran retaliated against US-linked targets and shipping in the Gulf region.
The conflict remains deadlocked, with Washington maintaining a naval blockade on Iranian ports and Iran continuing attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is a major route for global oil and gas, and its closure has disrupted energy markets and pushed up oil prices.
Iranian attacks on shipping have recently increased, weakening the recovery of oil flows through the waterway.
The US has at least three aircraft carrier strike groups in or heading to the region, as well as about 50,000 troops at bases across the Middle East.
The US is continuing its blockade and ship escorts, while indirect negotiations through Pakistan and Qatar continue; Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal to reopen the strait.
Donald Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
He said Washington is having productive discussions with Iran, but gave no details.
The announcement came amid a months-long conflict and stalled talks over the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian attacks on shipping through the strait have increased, while the United States maintains a naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Trump has previously said the conflict could end after the elections, while leaving open the possibility of later military action.
- Who
- US President Donald Trump announced the decision. Iran is the other party in the conflict and talks.
- What
- Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the midterm elections.
- When
- He made the statement on Thursday, October 8, 2026. The elections are scheduled for November 3.
- Where
- The statement was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account. The conflict centers in part on the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Trump said the two countries were having productive discussions. He gave no further details.
United States under Donald Trump
Iran under President Masoud Pezeshkian
Negotiations
United States under Donald Trump
Trump said the United States and Iran were having productive discussions.
Iran under President Masoud Pezeshkian
Pezeshkian said Iran was engaged in dialogue, but that the United States attacks again whenever the two sides negotiate.
Military action before the election
United States under Donald Trump
Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before November 3.
Iran under President Masoud Pezeshkian
Pezeshkian’s reported remarks criticized US attacks during negotiations; the sources do not state Iran’s position on the US pledge.
The United States and Israel launched an attack on Iran, according to Al Jazeera.
The United States and Iran signed an interim agreement intended to establish a 60-day ceasefire and a framework for a permanent peace deal.
Trump said at a campaign rally in San Antonio that his envoy had continued indirect negotiations with Iranian officials.
Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections.
The US midterm elections are scheduled to take place.
- Election date
- November 3, 2026
- Announcement date
- October 8, 2026
- US president
- Donald Trump
- Iranian president
- Masoud Pezeshkian
- Main maritime route at issue
- Strait of Hormuz
3 sources
What people are saying
I think the deal isn't really something that I want to do, but they're willing to offer us anything to stop
We will not attack Iran at any time before the midterm elections
but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again