Trump Rules Out New US Strike on Iran Before November Vote as Talks Continue
US President Donald Trump has said Washington will not launch a new attack on Iran before the United States holds its midterm congressional elections on November 3, adding that discussions between the two countries are currently making progress.
Trump made the announcement on Thursday in a post on his social media platform, saying the United States was engaged in “productive discussions” with Iran. He also reiterated that Iran would not be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
Trump sets November 3 as a pause point
The president's statement represents a clear public commitment to avoid launching new military strikes against Iran before the midterm vote.
Trump said the United States would not attack Iran at any time before the November 3 elections. His comments came after reports that US officials had been examining possible military options as tensions with Tehran continued.
The announcement does not necessarily mean the broader confrontation has ended. The United States continues to maintain military forces in the region, while Washington's blockade of Iranian oil shipments remains in place.
US-Iran talks remain uncertain
Trump's announcement came amid renewed diplomatic activity between Washington and Tehran.
The two sides have exchanged proposals aimed at reducing tensions and addressing the situation around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy-shipping routes. Iran has indicated that it is reviewing a US response to an earlier proposal, with a formal reply expected in the coming days.
However, major disagreements remain. Iran has continued to reject demands that it give up its uranium stockpile or abandon enrichment, while the Trump administration has insisted that Tehran must make significant changes to its nuclear programme.
Why the midterm elections matter
The Iran conflict has become an important domestic political issue because the war has contributed to higher energy prices and increased economic pressure on US households. Reuters reported that the conflict has also weighed on Trump's domestic approval and created challenges for Republican candidates seeking to protect their congressional majorities.
Oil markets reacted to Trump's statement as investors assessed the possibility of a near-term US attack. Brent crude had earlier risen sharply amid concerns about military escalation and disruptions to energy supplies before retreating from its session highs following Trump's comments.
Military pressure remains
Despite Trump's pledge to avoid a new attack before the election, the US military presence in the Middle East remains significant.
Reports indicate that additional naval forces are being prepared for deployment to the region, giving Washington the ability to respond if the situation deteriorates. The continued military presence means that the possibility of renewed fighting after the election cannot be ruled out.
For now, however, Trump's latest statement puts diplomacy ahead of another major US military operation before November 3.
The immediate focus will be on whether Washington and Tehran can turn their ongoing discussions into a broader arrangement covering the conflict, Iran's nuclear programme and the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump Urges Supporters to Vote by Mail Despite Past Fraud Claims
US President Donald Trump has urged his supporters to vote by mail or cast their ballots early in person ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, marking a notable change from his long-standing criticism of mail-in voting.
Trump said on Monday that supporters could use mail voting if they wanted, although he said he personally preferred voting in person. He also encouraged Republicans in a campaign message to vote early, by mail or in person on Election Day.
Trump Changes His Message on Mail Voting
Trump has spent years questioning the reliability of mail-in ballots and has repeatedly claimed that voting by mail can lead to fraud. His latest comments represent a significant change in emphasis as Republicans prepare for a closely watched congressional election.
In a campaign video posted over the weekend, Trump urged Republicans to use every available voting option, including early voting, absentee ballots, mail voting and voting in person on November 3.
His comments suggest that the priority for the Republican Party is now maximizing turnout, regardless of how supporters cast their ballots.
Republicans Seek Maximum Turnout
Mail voting can be particularly useful for voters who cannot easily reach polling stations on Election Day or who prefer to cast their ballots before November 3.
Republican officials and strategists have previously warned that discouraging mail voting could hurt conservative turnout, particularly among rural voters who may live farther from polling locations.
Trump's latest appeal therefore comes as Republicans enter the final weeks of the midterm campaign and seek to mobilize voters across the country.
Supreme Court Rejected Trump’s Mail-Ballot Restrictions
The shift comes after the US Supreme Court declined in September to allow the Postal Service to enforce new restrictions targeting mail-in ballots before the midterm elections.
Trump's administration had sought tighter federal rules for mail voting, arguing that they were necessary to protect election integrity. The Supreme Court's decision left existing state procedures in place while the legal fight continues.
The ruling was a setback for Trump's effort to impose nationwide changes to mail-ballot procedures ahead of the election.
Trump Has Also Used Mail Voting
Trump's position has drawn attention because he has himself used mail voting.
The president has continued to criticize the method while using it when politically or practically convenient. His latest appeal to Republican voters reflects the tension between his previous rhetoric and the campaign's current need to encourage as many supporters as possible to participate.
Evidence of widespread voter fraud in US elections remains extremely limited, despite Trump's repeated claims about election fraud.
Midterm Elections Approach
The US congressional midterm elections will take place on November 3, 2026, with control of Congress at stake.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll released this week showed a difficult political environment for Republicans. Trump's approval rating stood at 32%, while registered voters preferred Democratic candidates over Republicans by 44% to 37% when asked which party they would support in the midterms.
With the election approaching, turnout is likely to be crucial. Trump's decision to openly encourage mail voting could help Republicans reach supporters who might otherwise struggle to vote on Election Day.
The change also highlights how political parties can adjust their voting strategies when election turnout becomes the central priority.