Trump rules out fresh Iran strikes after midterm elections

US President Donald Trump has ruled out the possibility of launching fresh military strikes against Iran after the upcoming midterm elections, saying diplomatic efforts are making progress and suggesting that a potential agreement could be within reach.

Speaking to reporters after an election campaign event in Washington, Trump was asked whether he was considering renewed attacks on Iran once the midterm elections were over. He responded in the negative, pointing to developments in diplomatic efforts.

The US president reiterated that Iran would never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, claiming that Iranian officials had also begun accepting Washington’s position on the issue.

Trump urged American voters to consider his administration’s efforts to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons before heading to polling stations. He described stopping Tehran’s nuclear ambitions as a critical priority, warning that Iran would face serious consequences if it acquired such capabilities.

Referring to previous US military action, Trump claimed that American B-2 bombers had disrupted Iran’s nuclear programme a year earlier. He said the aircraft had accurately struck their intended targets, describing the operation as a major setback for Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

However, his latest comments suggested that Washington is currently prioritising diplomacy over another military confrontation.

Trump also linked the possibility of an agreement with falling energy prices, suggesting that expectations of progress in negotiations could be contributing to the decline in oil prices.

In a separate interview with US news outlet Axios, the president said he was not rushing into any decision about resuming direct military attacks against Iran.

He claimed that American pressure had severely weakened Iran’s economy, alleging that the country was facing shortages of money and fuel and that its population was increasingly frustrated with the situation.

Despite expressing confidence in the diplomatic process, Trump accused Iranian negotiators of deliberately prolonging discussions. He maintained that contacts with Tehran were progressing positively but suggested that the negotiations were taking longer than necessary.

According to Axios, Trump has opted to continue diplomatic negotiations rather than launch another military operation, despite concerns reportedly raised by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The president’s remarks indicate a preference for keeping diplomatic channels open while maintaining pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme.

For now, Trump’s rejection of immediate plans for fresh strikes offers a signal that his administration is willing to pursue a negotiated outcome. However, no final agreement has been announced, and the future of US-Iran relations will depend on whether the ongoing diplomatic efforts produce concrete results.