By Sandy Fitzgerald | Newsmax.com

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, announcing in a Truth Social post that discussions with Tehran are productive and the U.S. blockade will remain in place.

"We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran. I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both Economically and Militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect, with Oil flowing in Record Numbers of Barrels through the Hormuz Strait (22 Million Barrels, last night alone, with not one barrel coming from, or going to, Iran!), we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections to be held in the United States on November 3rd," Trump said.

And, he stressed: "IRAN WILL NOT HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON!"

The announcement followed reports Wednesday that Trump was considering renewed military strikes before or after elections in the United States and Israel. His stated timeline also rules out U.S. attacks before Israel's Oct. 27 election.

Trump's post on Thursday did not rule out military action after the U.S. midterms.

Before the announcement, a White House official told The Hill that Trump retained all options against Iran.

"The Commander-in-Chief has all options available at any time. The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing," the official said.

"Iran has been decimated, and things will go one of two ways; the easy way or the hard way. President Trump holds all the cards and will do whatever is best for the United States," the official added.

Axios reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials, that the Pentagon had instructed U.S. Central Command to complete preparations for a possible renewed military campaign. No final decision or attack date had been set.

Potential targets included Iranian energy infrastructure, military facilities, and nuclear sites, according to Axios. The Atlantic separately reported that Trump had asked the Pentagon to develop strike options that could be carried out before the midterms.

The conflict began with U.S. and Israeli strikes Feb. 28 and has entered its eighth month. A fragile ceasefire reached in April quickly unraveled, giving way to sporadic fighting.

Iran has faced a U.S. economic pressure campaign and naval blockade targeting its oil exports, while disrupting energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and attacking U.S. targets and American allies across the region.

Trump's description of productive discussions comes after diplomatic efforts stalled over Iran's nuclear program and conditions for reopening the strait.

Vice President JD Vance said this week that Tehran must meaningfully reduce its uranium-enrichment capabilities for Washington to accept a deal. Iran continues to insist on its right to enrich uranium.

Trump has repeatedly raised the possibility of renewed attacks. In an Axios interview published Sept. 17, he said he was approaching a "big decision" about whether to "annihilate" the Iranian regime or pursue another course.

In a Time magazine interview published Oct. 1, Trump said expanded bombing after the midterms was "possible." He also said the United States had spent months rebuilding its weapons stockpiles.

Meanwhile, between 9,000 and 10,000 additional U.S. troops are expected to arrive in the Middle East by the end of November as a third aircraft carrier and another Marine expeditionary unit head to the region, The Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Two carriers are already there. If both remain when the third arrives, it would mark the first time since April that the United States has deployed three carrier strike groups to the region, according to the Journal.

The United States and Iran reached a fragile ceasefire in April, but it quickly unraveled, giving way to sporadic fighting in the months since.

In a Time magazine interview published Oct. 1, Trump said expanded bombing after the midterms was "possible." He also said the United States had spent months rebuilding its weapons stockpiles.