Is Trump signalling a return to war with Iran after the midterms?

US media reports suggest he may be weighing strikes before the vote but the president has ruled that out. Save Share United States President Donald Trump has said that he does not intend to bomb Iran again until the November midterm elections, even though several US media outlets have reported that the Pentagon has drawn up plans to relaunch attacks before that vote. Trump has been accused of misdirection on the issue in the past. The US launched its initial attacks on Iran on February 28, as talks with Iran were ongoing and despite Trump saying just the day before that he had not made any decision. One year previously, the US struck Iran towards the end of Israel’s June 2025 12-day war, despite Trump saying he would announce a decision about attacks “in two weeks”. Still, striking Iran ahead of the midterm elections would be risky for the administration as the war remains deeply unpopular with Americans. Resuming the war afterwards may have less of a negative impact on Trump, who is not eligible to run for another term as US president anyway. Here’s what we know about Trump’s plans. In the past two days, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and other publications have reported claims by unnamed officials that the Pentagon has drawn up plans to attack Iran before the midterms, if authorised to do so. On Wednesday, US publication Axios cited US and Israeli officials saying the Pentagon has instructed US Central Command (CENTCOM) to prepare for imminent major combat operations. The Atlantic also reported along similar lines. On Thursday, Trump posted on his Truth Social media platform that he will not order a resumption of strikes on Iran before November 3, when the US midterm elections will be held. “I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd,” he said. The president added that the US is presently “having productive discussions” with the Iranian side. However, that was also the case on February 28, the day the US and Israel first struck Iran, triggering the war. Trump did not make any reference to preparing for potential military operations, nor did he provide more details on the state of talks. Trump and Republicans are worried about a voter backlash against the war at the polls....