Bessent outlines US plan to cut off Iran’s remaining economic lifelines
Tensions remain high between the US and Iran as officials and commentators debate the sincerity of Donald Trump's claims that no military strikes will occur before the US midterms. While some view the rhetoric as a political ploy, others fear that limited pre-emptive strikes could still be on the table.
Why it matters
The potential for military escalation in the Persian Gulf poses significant risks to global oil markets and regional stability.
Trump wrote on Truth Social on Thursday that he had no intention of resuming strikes before the midterms, adding that the United States was engaged in “constructive negotiations” with Iran.
Global oil prices, which had fluctuated sharply during the week amid growing threats to shipping in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, fell following Trump’s remarks.
Heshmatollah Falahatpisheh, a former chairman of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, wrote on X that plans by the United States, Israel and their regional allies for another war with Iran had nothing to do with elections in either country.
He argued that Trump’s declaration that Washington would not attack Iran before November 3 was intended to prevent Iran from launching a “pre-emptive strike”.
Parisa Nasr, a journalist considered close to Iran’s Foreign Ministry, similarly dismissed Trump’s statement in a commentary titled “Forget Trump’s nonsense: A third war is imminent.”
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