US will not resume strikes on Iran before midterms — Trump

US President Donald Trump has ruled out launching military strikes on Iran before the November midterm elections, according to his own announcement on social media. The decision came after reports from two US media outlets suggesting that Trump was considering such actions. The Atlantic magazine reported that Trump was weighing options to avoid escalating the conflict in Iran until after the elections to minimize its negative impact on the public's perception of the unpopular war.

The US has maintained a ceasefire with Iran since April, but the agreement has been breached, leading to renewed fighting. Despite this, Trump has expressed openness to further escalating the war, as he stated at the UN General Assembly. High gas and fuel prices, coupled with the economy's significance as a voter concern, may have influenced Trump's decision to avoid actions that could exacerbate these issues for the electorate.

Additionally, Trump's team has reportedly been engaging in constructive dialogue with Iran, following a rejection of an Iranian proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The US military is also reportedly reinforcing its presence in the Middle East, with a third aircraft-carrier strike group expected to arrive by the end of November.