President Donald Trump will not order any military strikes against Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, despite reports that the Pentagon ordered U.S. Central Command to prepare for more major combat operations.
“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday. “I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd. IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!”
The stock market responded positively to Trump’s social media post as the war continues to upend international energy supplies and electoral politics, less than a month before polls close.
Trump’s post comes after White House officials on Wednesday confirmed reports that the president has an array of choices in dealing with Iran, saying “the commander-in-chief has all options available at any time.”
“The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing,” an official said. “Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways: the easy way or the hard way. President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States.”
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During a rally in Texas on Wednesday night, Trump, again, challenged Iran to hit “San Diego or Los Angeles,” promising a “horror show” in Iran in reaction.
“You want to see a country that would be in free fall,” he said. “We’re not going to let that happen. We protect our cities. We protect our country. We’re not letting that happen. And they’d use it, too. They’d use it. They would use it.”