Trump rules out Iran attack before midterms

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections and said Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.

Trump wrote on Truth Social that “we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections”. He added that Iran was in “very bad condition” economically and militarily and that the blockade would remain in place.

Trump did not give further details about the discussions with Iran.

The statement followed media reports suggesting possible new US strikes before the elections, which helped drive a rise in crude oil prices on Thursday.

Oil prices have also been affected by tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for the global oil trade, and hostilities between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The UKMTO maritime agency said Wednesday that an oil tanker off Qatar's north coast reported being struck by multiple projectiles, causing an unspecified number of casualties.

The midterm elections are likely to shape the final two years of Trump's presidential term, with his Republican Party at risk of losing control of Congress.