Trump says U.S. will not attack Iran before Nov. 3 midterms
President Donald Trump said late Thursday the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, citing “productive discussions” with Tehran. Oil prices jumped Thursday on Hormuz tensions, then briefly dipped after his post.
What Trump said: In a late Thursday Truth Social post, Trump wrote that he had held “productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran” and that “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections… on November 3rd,” Al Jazeera and NBC News reported. The post responded to reports he was considering strikes before the midterms, NBC said.
Oil reaction: Brent crude briefly traded near $106 a barrel Thursday before closing around $104.28, up about 4.1%, according to AP reporting carried by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and NBC. West Texas Intermediate rose about 3.6% to roughly $91.49. Prices briefly dipped after Trump’s post, then regained ground, NBC reported.
Hormuz and Tehran: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is reviewing the U.S. response to a seven-day Hormuz reopen plan and will reply in the “next few days,” with talks continuing through mediators, Al Jazeera reported. Iranian media on Friday described “massive explosions” in southern Hormuz; Fars News Agency cited unnamed sources saying tankers on “unauthorised” routes may have struck sea mines.
Enrichment and gas prices: Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that Iran must make a “meaningful” reduction in uranium enrichment, Al Jazeera reported. National average regular gasoline was about $4.36 a gallon Thursday, and diesel about $6.28, NBC said — a midterms backdrop for voters watching energy costs.