US Has No Plans to Attack Iran Before Midterm Elections, White House Says

The United States has no plans to attack Iran before the midterm elections scheduled for November, a White House official has said, amid reports of discussions between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about efforts to remove Iran’s leadership.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly responded to Netanyahu’s remarks suggesting that President Trump supports a plan to eliminate Iran’s leadership. Asked about reports of discussions between Trump and Netanyahu regarding the possible removal of the Iranian government, Kelly said Iran was in an extremely weak position economically and militarily.

“As President Trump has said, Iran is in a very bad position, both economically and militarily,” Kelly said, adding that the blockade would remain in full force and that record volumes of oil would continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

She further stated that the United States would not attack Iran before the November midterm elections.

Earlier, President Trump had ruled out using nuclear weapons against Iran and dismissed the possibility of deploying US ground troops to the country.

Trump said he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and had no intention of sending American military forces into Iranian territory.

Meanwhile, Trump is facing growing political challenges ahead of the US midterm elections, with a Fox News poll showing his approval rating falling to its lowest level.

According to the survey, 64 percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Trump’s overall performance, while only 36 percent said they were satisfied.

The survey also found that 55 percent of Americans rejected Trump’s claims that he was bringing inflation under control, highlighting growing public concerns over the cost of living ahead of the crucial elections.

Clarify the blockade’s subject and scopeRemove repeated Trump statements