Trump says US will not strike Iran before midterms; Tehran says nuclear programme will go on

US President Donald Trump has said clearly that the United States will not carry out any new military strike on Iran before the midterm elections on November 3. With tensions in the Middle East already high, the statement is being seen as significant. Trump made the remark in an official post on social media. He also said "productive discussions" were continuing.

For the past few days, Trump's remarks at campaign rallies of Republican candidates had hinted that large-scale military action against Iran could resume. His post has now put an end to that speculation. Trump has also said earlier that he hopes the decisive phase of the conflict will end before the election or immediately after it.

International analysts say the main strategy behind the move could be to keep petrol and fuel prices in the US under control and to send voters the message that America wants peace rather than being drawn into a war.

However, it has been said that military preparations will continue. According to reports, the White House has asked the Pentagon to keep ready different strategic options for possible strikes against Iran. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) is working closely on the planning, intensity and objectives of these possible operations.

In a statement on Tuesday, Trump had said that, whatever the outcome, America wants to end the long conflict with Iran as soon as possible. Given this, defence experts are speculating that the US could step up military pressure on Iran again after the election is over.

Tehran, on the other hand, has made its stand clear. Iran says it will not stop its national nuclear energy programme under any circumstances. Mohammad Eslami, Iran's Vice President and head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran (AEOI), made the announcement in Tehran at the inauguration of a centre for the screening and treatment of childhood cancer.

Eslami said Iran's nuclear industry has always functioned under the shadow of international pressure, economic sanctions and threats of military strikes. Despite this, Iran has achieved self-reliance in medicine, food security and national development. He said the allegations made against Iran are completely baseless, and that the nuclear programme is strategically vital for achieving the country's medical and healthcare goals.