Trump and Iran Adopt Wait-and-see Approach Ahead of Midterms
WHO:
CNN - President Trump
CNN - Iranian leaders
CNN - Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
CNN - Michigan GOP Senate nominee Mike Rogers
CNN - Iran’s national security adviser Mohsen Rezaei
WHAT:
CNN - Trump stated, “I believe we’ll make a deal right after the election, because it doesn’t make sense for them not to.”
CNN - Trump mentioned, “They’re waiting to see how I do in the midterm election.”
CNN - The war against Iran has cost $45 billion by mid-September.
CNN - Gasoline prices average $4.36 a gallon nationally.
CNN - Diesel prices remain high, despite falling back from record highs last month.
CNN - The cost of benchmark Brent crude rose by 4% due to intensified fighting between Yemen’s Houthis and Saudi Arabia.
CNN - Trump declared he would not attack Iran again before the midterm elections.
CNN - Trump stated that his blockade of Iran’s oil exports had reduced the country to a “very bad condition.”
CNN - Trump mentioned, “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections.”
CNN - The war against Iran has lasted eight months.
CNN - A CNN/SSRS poll indicated that more than 70% of voters in Iowa and Ohio believe Trump’s policies have increased the cost of living.
CNN - A Pew Research Center report showed that 74% of Americans are concerned about the price of gas and energy.
CNN - The war against Iran has cost $45 billion by mid-September.
WHERE:
CNN - The Strait of Hormuz
CNN - Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina
WHEN:
CNN - The midterm elections are scheduled for November 3.
CNN - Reports indicated Trump was considering a resumption of major combat operations before the election.
CNN - Trump stated he believes a deal with Iran could be made “right after the election.”
WHY:
CNN - The high gasoline and diesel prices caused by the war are damaging Republican hopes in the midterm elections.
CNN - Trump’s strategy aims to decouple the midterm elections from the war to reduce Tehran’s leverage.
HOW:
CNN - The administration is sending another aircraft-carrier strike group and an additional Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East.
CNN - Trump has maintained a blockade strategy against Iran despite the ongoing conflict.
CNN - The U.S. military coordinated operations to restore oil flows from Gulf states apart from Iran.
(UPDATED October 9, 2026 09:08 UTC)
Trump expressed confidence that a deal could be reached after the election, noting that others are waiting to see how he performs in the midterm elections. Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict with Iran has already cost $45 billion, and gasoline prices are averaging $4.36 a gallon nationally, with diesel prices remaining high despite a recent decline. In response to the escalating situation in the region, the administration is deploying another aircraft-carrier strike group along with an additional Marine expeditionary unit to the Middle East.
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(UPDATED October 9, 2026 05:06 UTC)
President Trump announced that he will not attack Iran again before the midterm elections, stating, “We will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections.” He emphasized that his blockade of Iran's oil exports has left the country in a “very bad condition,” while the ongoing war has cost the U.S. $45 billion and lasted eight months. As the midterm elections approach on November 3, Trump is attempting to separate the electoral outcome from the conflict, as high gasoline and diesel prices are hurting Republican prospects.