Trump: “I won’t attack Iran before the midterms”

[Financial News] U.S. President Donald Trump said he would not attack Iran before the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3.
On the 8th (local time), President Trump said on the social media platform Truth Social, “We are having productive discussions with Iran,” and made the statement.
He said, “Iran is in a very bad situation economically and militarily, and the (U.S.) blockade measures against Iran will remain fully in place,” but added, “We will not attack Iran at any point before the U.S. midterm elections on Nov. 3.”
President Trump noted that record volumes of crude oil were passing through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing, “Twenty-two million barrels passed through last night alone, and not a single barrel of oil came from Iran or was bound for Iran.”
He also reiterated, “Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”
President Trump’s remarks are drawing attention because he has publicly stated that he will take no further military action before the midterms, as U.S. voters’ dissatisfaction grows over the prolonged war with Iran and high oil prices.
Above all, his remarks suggest that while he is holding off on military attacks against Iran, he intends to maintain the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz—keeping the possibility of negotiations with Iran open while continuing economic pressure.
The previous day, the U.S. online outlet Axios reported that the Pentagon had ordered the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees the Middle East, several days earlier to prepare to resume large-scale military operations against Iran.
Axios also cited accounts from sources and raised the possibility that the United States could resume military operations against Iran before the U.S. midterm elections. However, President Trump appears to have stepped in personally to directly deny these reports, mindful of voter sentiment ahead of the midterms.   
[email protected] Kim Hyeong-gu Reporter