Trump: We Are Holding 'Productive Talks'... Will Not Attack Iran Before Elections
Despite the U.S. military’s readiness for the possibility of renewed military operations against Iran, President Donald Trump stated that productive talks are underway with Tehran and that the United States will not launch attacks on Iran before the midterm elections scheduled for November 3.
In a post on his platform, Truth Social, Trump said, “Iran is in a very bad situation, both economically and militarily, and the sanctions are fully in force and effective, and will remain so.”
He noted that 22 million barrels of oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz on the night of last Wednesday, and “not a single barrel came from Iran or went to Iran, as the sanctions continue.”
He added that Tehran will not possess a nuclear weapon, and “we will not launch an attack on Iran before the U.S. midterm elections” next November.
In this context, the U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on 17 ships for transporting Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and petrochemicals.
In a statement, it said the United States estimates that Iran still has 20 million barrels of crude oil on board ships outside the scope of the U.S. sanctions imposed on Iranian ports.
According to a report by Axios, published by journalist Barak Ravid, citing U.S. officials, orders were issued days ago without specifying a date for the start of strikes, while Trump has not made a final decision on resuming operations.
The website cited U.S. and Israeli sources saying the military move could occur before the U.S. congressional midterm elections in November, and perhaps even before the Israeli elections scheduled a week earlier.
Commenting on the information, a White House official confirmed that all options remain available to Trump, noting that Washington holds a strong position given its control over the Strait of Hormuz and the economic pressure imposed on Iran.
Before Trump’s announcement of a breakthrough in negotiations, the report indicated no progress in U.S.-Iranian talks, explaining that Qatari mediators are still awaiting Tehran’s response to a counter-U.S. proposal that includes demands for concessions on the nuclear file.
In this context, the Pentagon is considering establishing new U.S. military bases in Israel, as part of a broader review of the deployment of U.S. forces and military facilities, amid escalating threats related to Iran and concerns about attacks on bases used by Washington to support its operations in the Middle East, with the latest concerns focusing on the Fairford base in the UK.
According to a report by the U.S. New York Times, the Department of Defense is exploring options to establish new military facilities, particularly in Israel, although implementing these plans may require congressional approval and years to prepare or build the bases.
The newspaper noted that U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) is already conducting serious planning to relocate its military installations and reshape its deployment in the region, rather than waiting for the creation of new bases, which could take a long time to implement.
These discussions follow the U.S. withdrawal of its bombers from Fairford Air Base in the UK, after receiving intelligence about potential threats targeting U.S. forces and aircraft.
In a related matter, the German magazine Wehrtechnik reported that Iranian intelligence agencies are targeting U.S. military bases in Germany, including Ramstein and Spangdahlem, amid fears of potential secret attacks linked to the war on Iran.
As the U.S. military prepares for the possibility of renewed military operations against Iran, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Wednesday evening that the negotiation track between Tehran and Washington remains ongoing, stating that his country is currently reviewing U.S. comments on the “Seven-Day Plan.”
He clarified that messages between the two sides are being exchanged through intermediaries regarding Tehran’s plan, adding, “We are currently examining the Americans’ views, and I believe we will deliver our response in the coming days,” according to statements relayed by the Iranian Tasnim News Agency.
Araghchi had proposed, in late September on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in New York, a seven-day roadmap to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, to be followed by broader negotiations with Washington.
