Trump Signals Delay of Iran Strikes Until After Midterms as Pentagon Prepares for Possible Action

U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed he will not order military strikes against Iran before the November midterm elections, despite reports that the Pentagon has drafted plans for possible attacks prior to the vote.

Trump has previously faced accusations of misleading statements on military action. The United States initiated strikes on Iran on February 28 while negotiations were still underway, even though Trump had said the day before that no decision had been made. Similarly, a year earlier, the U.S. conducted an attack on Iran near the end of Israel’s 12‑day war in June 2025, despite Trump’s earlier claim that he would announce a decision about strikes within two weeks.

What has Trump said?

On Thursday, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that he will not order a resumption of strikes against Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. “I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd,” he said. Trump added that the United States is currently engaged in “productive discussions” with Iran. However, similar talks were underway on February 28, the very day the U.S. and Israel launched their initial attacks, triggering the conflict. He made no mention of preparing for further military operations nor provided additional details about the negotiations.

Why might Trump be hesitant about resuming bombing before the midterms?

Trump and his party are concerned that a military escalation could provoke a voter backlash at the polls. The conflict with Iran remains deeply unpopular, with surveys indicating large numbers of Americans disapprove of the strikes. Approximately 65 % of respondents in a Pew Research Center poll released on Thursday disapprove of how Trump has handled the war, which he originally promised would last only a few weeks but has now entered its eighth month. A majority of Americans, including a growing share of Republican and conservative voters, expect the war to continue for at least another year. The ongoing fighting has also damaged Trump’s personal approval ratings and eroded support for Republicans. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that only 30 % of Trump supporters were enthusiastic about voting in the midterms, compared with 48 % of Democratic voters. About 13 % of those who backed Trump in 2024 said they were uncertain about their choice for the congressional elections. Analysts suggest that postponing attacks could shield Republican candidates from voter discontent, while a poor showing at the polls might motivate Trump to strike Iran more aggressively, calculating that he has little to lose after leaving office.

Will the US restart the war after the midterms?

In recent weeks, Trump has warned that the conflict could be resolved through force after the election, as diplomatic talks have stalled. At a Republican convention in September, he accused Iran of attempting to influence the midterm elections and declared that the dispute “is going to end immediately after the elections.” An interview with Time magazine two weeks ago quoted him saying it would be “possible” to increase bombing against Iran following the vote, though he offered no further details. Analysts interpret these statements as an effort to reassure voters while signaling to Tehran the potential for post‑election aggression. Last week, the U.S. military deployed roughly 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines aboard several vessels now en route to the Middle East amid threats of additional strikes from Trump. The buildup raises the American presence in the region to about 20,000 troops, hundreds of aircraft, and at least three carrier strike groups. Historical precedent shows that such deployments have often preceded military action. In June, Washington and Tehran signed a ceasefire agreement that collapsed amid disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly asserted that the United States holds the advantage there, pointing to higher oil exports and Iran’s weakened economy. While expressing reluctance to negotiate an arrangement for the strait, he has indicated he might consider one if Tehran offers concessions to halt the fighting. Recently, the U.S. rejected an Iranian proposal to reopen the strait under specific conditions, including sanctions relief and the unfreezing of assets. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week that Tehran is reviewing a counterproposal from the United States.

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