Iran Considers U.S. Response as Trump Rules Out Pre-Election Strike
President Donald Trump said the United States will not attack Iran before the November midterm elections, while maintaining that a blockade remains in place. The statement followed a report that the White House had requested Pentagon strike options, and it helped pull oil prices back from recent highs. Tehran has said it will respond to Washington's message within days, as the U.S. Treasury sanctioned additional tankers tied to Iran's shadow fleet.
Trump's announcement came after The Atlantic reported the White House sought Pentagon options for pre-election strikes. His post said talks with Iran were productive, the naval blockade would continue, and Iran would not obtain nuclear weapons. Oil had risen on the report, then eased Friday; Brent settled at $102.80 and WTI at $90.97, though both remained higher for the week. Tanker attacks and Hurricane Isaias also supported prices.
In Tehran, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said messages were still moving through mediators. Iran is reviewing a U.S. reply to its proposal for a seven-day Hormuz reopening and a fighting pause, and expects to answer within days. Iran's stated conditions include ending hostilities, unfreezing assets, easing oil-export limits, and ending the blockade. Washington also sanctioned more tankers linked to Iran's shadow fleet.
Count words. First paragraph: Trump's(1) announcement2 came3 after4 The5 Atlantic6 reported7 the8 White9 House10 sought11 Pentagon12 options13 for14 pre-election15 strikes16. His17 post18 said19 talks20 with21 Iran22 were23 productive24, the25 naval26 blockade27 would28 continue29, and30 Iran31 would32 not33 obtain34 nuclear35 weapons36. Oil37 had38 risen39 on40 the41 report42, then43 eased44 Friday45; Brent46 settled47 at48 $102.8049 and50 WTI51 at52 $90.9753, though54 both55 remained56 higher57 for58 the59 week60. Tanker61 attacks62 and63 Hurricane64 Isaias65 also66 supported67 prices68. 68 words. Second: In1 Tehran2, Foreign