Donald Trump says the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm elections, while negotiations continue and the blockade of Iranian ports remains in place.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3, 2026, midterm elections, citing ongoing negotiations with Tehran while confirming that the American blockade of Iranian ports will remain in place.

In a statement posted on his social media platform Truth Social on Oct. 8, Trump said Washington was engaged in productive talks with Iran. However, he made clear that the decision to hold off on an attack before the elections would not mean an end to economic pressure or a permanent resolution of the conflict.

The announcement provides a temporary timeline for the possibility of U.S. military action but leaves the longer-term direction of the confrontation uncertain. Trump did not announce whether the United States would consider military action after the elections.

The statement came amid reports that U.S. officials had been preparing for the possibility of a large-scale military operation against Iran. Trump’s announcement ruled out an attack before the midterm elections, although the future of the military standoff remains unclear.

Iran Says Diplomatic Efforts Continue

Iranian officials have also indicated that diplomatic channels remain open.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told Russian President Vladimir Putin during a meeting that Tehran had not withdrawn from the negotiating process. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran had received a response to a U.S. proposal and was reviewing it.

Iranian officials have also said that messages between Tehran and Washington continue to be exchanged through intermediaries. However, the available information does not establish whether the two sides have reached an agreement or resolved their key differences.

Strait of Hormuz Remains a Key Issue

The Strait of Hormuz remains another important point of tension between the two countries because of its role in international oil transportation.

Trump claimed that oil shipments through the strategic waterway were continuing at record levels. He said 22 million barrels of oil had passed through the strait in a single night. However, the reported figure was attributed to the U.S. president, and no independent verification was provided in the available report.

US Expands Economic Pressure on Iran

Despite the announcement regarding military action, Washington has continued its economic pressure on Tehran.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions on Oct. 8 targeting individuals, networks and 17 vessels allegedly involved in Iranian oil shipments.

The measures indicate that the decision to delay a potential military strike before the elections has not brought an end to the broader U.S. pressure campaign against Iran.

For now, the announcement establishes Nov. 3 as a key date in assessing the next phase of the confrontation. The outcome of negotiations, the future of the blockade and Washington’s decisions after the midterm elections remain uncertain.