By Mardiyyah Abubakar
US President Donald Trump has ruled out launching new attacks on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, citing ongoing productive discussions between Washington and Tehran.
Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, following a surge in oil prices triggered by media reports suggesting the United States was considering fresh strikes against Iranian targets.
He said the US blockade of Iran would remain in place but insisted that Washington would not attack the country before the elections.
The announcement followed reports by The Atlantic that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options for striking Iranian targets before the midterms. The New York Times also reported that military plans were being developed despite Trump’s reservations.
Meanwhile, crude oil prices have risen amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global oil shipments, and hostilities involving Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, rose to $105.88 per barrel on Thursday before falling to $104.28.
The conflict has also fuelled dissatisfaction among American voters over rising fuel prices following US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.
Putin Offers to Help End Conflict
Russian President Vladimir Putin has pledged to do everything within Russia’s power to help end the Middle East war.
Putin made the statement on Thursday during a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Turkmenistan, ahead of a regional summit.
He said Iran had made genuine efforts to end the conflict, according to Russian media reports.
Pezeshkian, however, accused Washington of undermining negotiations through repeated attacks, insisting that Tehran wanted a lasting framework to end the war.
He warned that a resolution would remain difficult if the United States continued to impose its policies unilaterally.
Midterm Elections Raise Political Stakes
The November 3 midterm elections will determine whether Trump’s Republican Party retains control of Congress for the final two years of his presidency.
Although Trump is not a candidate in the elections, he has been holding rallies to support his party as polls indicate growing voter dissatisfaction over fuel prices.
Trump has also warned that he could face a third impeachment if Democrats regain control of the House of Representatives.
Separately, the president sought to clarify remarks he made at a rally earlier in the week about Iran potentially attacking Los Angeles and San Diego.
He blamed what he described as fake news for misinterpreting his comments, arguing that higher fuel prices were a small cost to pay to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
