Announcement Pauses Weeks of Escalation Threats
WASHINGTON, October 10, 2026 — President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will not resume military strikes on Iran before the November 3 midterm elections, a surprise cooling of the rhetoric that had warned of a renewed offensive in the seven-month-old war.
In a social media post, the president said the US “will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd,” adding that his team has been “having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
The statement marked a shift in tone after weeks in which Trump had repeatedly threatened a post-midterm escalation of the conflict, telling supporters he remained open to resuming full-scale military operations against Tehran despite his earlier promises of a campaign lasting only weeks.
Diplomacy Over the Strait of Hormuz
The negotiations centre on Iran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz under what Tehran calls a “Seven-Day Plan,” presented last month during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday that Tehran has received a US counterproposal and is now reviewing it. “We presented our plan, which we had presented under the title ‘Seven-Day Plan’, and we also heard the American side’s views on it,” Araghchi told Iranian state media, adding: “We are currently reviewing the views of the Americans and I think we will provide our response within the next few days.”
Under the plan, as described by Araghchi, Washington would need to take certain actions within four to five days, after which normal navigation through the strategic waterway would resume. Iranian officials say Tehran’s demands include an end to hostilities, the release of frozen assets, the lifting of oil-export restrictions, and an end to the US naval blockade of Iran.
Diplomats said the messages continue to be exchanged through mediators, even as military pressure builds around the waterway. Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval commanders have warned that the strait remains closed until the blockade is lifted and that approaching vessels risk being targeted.
Military Buildup Continues Despite Pause
Trump’s announcement comes as the United States dispatches more military resources to the region. US officials have said a third aircraft carrier, the USS Theodore Roosevelt, and thousands of troops aboard it and accompanying vessels could arrive in the region as early as the end of October.
The announcement also coincided with the USS Abraham Lincoln’s return to its home port in San Diego after a record-long deployment in support of the Iran war, amid reports of crew stress and supply shortages including food and hygiene products, US officials said.
Analysts said the pause offers Gulf states breathing room but warned that the buildup keeps the option of post-election escalation alive. Trade sources said oil markets would be watching closely for any breakthrough on the Hormuz plan, with Brent crude already at multi-week highs above $105 a barrel on supply fears.
Regional diplomats noted that Russia has welcomed a role in settlement efforts, and the Kremlin said Trump praised Moscow’s involvement in Iran diplomacy, with Russia set to supply more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel to the US and global markets immediately.
