BlockBeats reported on October 9 that the United States had reportedly informed Eyal Zamir, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, that the US military might resume military operations against Iran before the end of this month. During the call, Zamir said that if the United States resumed its strikes, Iran might retaliate against Israel, potentially delaying Israel’s election, scheduled for October 27.

Trump stated explicitly on social media Thursday that the United States would not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. He said that the US and Iran were engaged in productive negotiations, that the United States would continue its blockade of Iran, and emphasized that large volumes of oil were currently being transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, Axios previously reported that the Pentagon had asked U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for resuming military operations against Iran. People familiar with the matter said that if operations resume, the U.S. military could launch large-scale strikes on Iran’s energy and nuclear infrastructure. White House officials, meanwhile, said the United States currently holds the initiative in the Strait of Hormuz and that Iran’s economy is under pressure to collapse.