Trump rules out U.S. strikes on Iran before Nov. 3 midterms
publishers 25articles 27first reported 8 Oct, 02:15 UTCdeveloping since 8 Oct · 12 editions
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States would not resume military strikes on Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, a day after reports that the military had been directed to prepare options for renewed operations.
“We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding that his administration was having “productive discussions” with Tehran. He said a blockade connected to the Strait of Hormuz would remain in force.
The statement followed reports by NBC News and Axios that Trump and his national security team had discussed potentially resuming large-scale military operations in the coming weeks. Axios reported that the options could include extensive attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure and nuclear targets.
At a campaign rally Wednesday, Trump had expressed reluctance about reaching an agreement with Iran, while saying special envoy Steve Witkoff was continuing negotiations. “I think the deal isn’t really something that I want to do, but they’re willing to offer us anything to stop,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran expected to respond within days to a U.S. counterproposal. Previous negotiations have focused partly on the Strait of Hormuz, where shipping disruptions have contributed to elevated oil and fuel prices. Trump’s Thursday announcement rules out an attack before the election but leaves open the possibility of military action afterward.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 3 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 12 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 25
- Source articles
- 27
- Given to the writer
- 8, 3 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8
- This version written
- 12 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
Written by a language model from the sources above, then checked by a second model that may only cut, attribute or correct. How it works →