US President Donald Trump on Thursday ruled out launching any attack on Iran before the congressional midterm elections scheduled for early next month, as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations over an Iranian plan to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, alongside ongoing US military preparations for the possible resumption of operations.
Washington-Tehran talks on the seven-day plan
Trump said his administration was holding “fruitful talks” with Iran, while Tehran confirmed that negotiations over its plan, which it has named the “seven-day” plan, were continuing. The Iranian side said it intended to respond “within days” to Washington’s comments on the plan.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social account: “I would like to make it clear to everyone that although Iran is in a very bad situation, economically and militarily, and the blockade will remain in place and effective, with record amounts of oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz, 22 million barrels just last night alone, with not one barrel coming from Iran or going to Iran, we will not launch any attack on Iran before the midterm elections.”
In the same statement, the US president reiterated his position that “Iran will never have a nuclear weapon”, linking continued pressure on it with the continuation of the negotiating process during the period leading up to the elections.
Mediators seek additional time for diplomatic efforts
According to information relayed by informed sources, mediators contacted Trump and asked for additional time for diplomatic efforts before any possible strike against Iran was carried out. The mediators hope the additional time will lead to a change in Iran’s position that would allow progress in the ongoing negotiations. The information indicated that the change in Trump’s tone had not yet been accompanied by any field change or breakthrough in the negotiating process.
US Central Command continues preparations to implement military options if a presidential decision is issued, while a decision to begin operations has not been made. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, speaking alongside Trump’s comments, confirmed that the negotiating process between Tehran and Washington was continuing.
He said his country was currently studying the US comments submitted on the “seven-day plan” before drafting its response. US officials had said that the Defence Department had instructed US Central Command, “Centcom”, to complete preparations for the possible resumption of extensive combat operations against Iran.
Iranian road map and Trump’s position on it
The instructions did not include a date for the start of strikes, and Trump had not yet made a final decision on resuming military operations at the time. The Iranian initiative is based on a seven-day road map aimed at ending the war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz before moving to broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
But Trump later rejected the proposal in its announced form, prompting the US side to introduce amendments and return it to Tehran for consideration. The “seven-day” proposal is primarily linked to the status of the Strait of Hormuz, which is a central focus of efforts to halt hostilities and resume negotiations. The issue has become more significant amid the sharp decline in shipping traffic through the waterway.
Data from Kpler showed that only seven cargo ships crossed the strait on Tuesday, the lowest recorded level since 23 July. Before the US-Israeli war on Iran began on 28 February, around 125 large commercial vessels crossed the strait each day, including oil and gas tankers, bulk carriers and container ships.
Shipments passing through the Strait of Hormuz accounted for around one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, while Trump said that 22 million barrels had flowed through it during the night before his statement, with none of them bound for or originating from Iran.
