What happened
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will not launch new strikes against Iran before the November elections. This decision comes as the US is engaged in productive discussions with Tehran. Trump stated that the US wants to make it clear that it will not attack Iran prior to the midterms, despite the country being in a difficult condition due to a US pressure campaign.
The US military had launched its most recent strikes against Iran in early September, and a naval blockade reimposed in July is still ongoing. Trump also mentioned that the blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force, and no Iranian oil is passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Instead, 22 million barrels of oil passed through the waterway on October 7 without any coming from or going to Iran.
Trump's announcement comes as the US and Iran have exchanged proposals on ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that negotiations are ongoing, and messages have been sent through mediators. However, an Iranian defense official also threatened possible attacks on the US, saying that the distance between the two countries is determined by Iranian missiles.
The conflict between the US and Iran has led to elevated gas and energy prices, which have weighed heavily on Republican candidates ahead of the midterms. According to the American Automobile Association, US gas prices are currently around $4.36 per gallon, down from the previous week but up from a month ago.
