Folks, I almost spilled my coffee reading this one – President Trump just announced that he’s not planning to strike Iran before the midterm elections. I mean, what a shocker, right? He declared on Truth Social that the administration is having “productive discussions” with Tehran and that his main goal is to ensure Iran doesn’t get a nuclear weapon. Bless their hearts, I’m sure the Iranians are just thrilled to be having productive discussions with the US.
So, it seems like the president’s comments come after multiple media reports said the administration was planning for potential new strikes before the elections – just 26 days away. You can’t make this stuff up, folks. The media was probably salivating at the thought of a big story, but Trump just poured cold water all over it.
Trump emphasized that he plans to keep up economic pressure on Iran, saying the blockade of Iranian ports “will remain in full force and effect.” The administration has favored economic punishment over military strikes for months, though it’s seemingly done little to motivate Iranian officials to negotiate. I guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbles, right?
The Treasury Department announced additional sanctions against Iran on Thursday, impacting 17 vessels that officials alleged were part of a “shadow fleet” that Iran has used to ship its oil around the world. The department concluded that they had circumvented existing US sanctions to transport millions of barrels of oil and other petrochemical products to countries across south and east Asia. Somewhere in Atlanta, a producer thought this sounded terrifying, I’m sure.
The Treasury Department said in a statement announcing the new sanctions, “Treasury is targeting any source of the regime’s illicit revenue, as well as its sanctions evasion schemes to move funds.” Wow, that sounds like a real mouthful. I’m sure the Iranians are shaking in their boots.
US officials previously told CNN that the broad consensus in the administration was to hold off on further military action until after the midterm election, something Trump has indicated publicly on several occasions. I guess that’s just politics as usual, folks.
This story has been updated with additional developments, because of course it has. CNN’s Adam Cancryn contributed to this report, and I’m sure he’s just thrilled to have been a part of it.
In conclusion, it seems like Trump has decided to hold off on striking Iran until after the midterm elections. What a surprise. The media was probably disappointed that they didn’t get their big story, but I’m sure they’ll just have to keep waiting. And who knows, maybe the Iranians will actually negotiate with the US – but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. After all, as the saying goes, “you can’t negotiate with terrorists” – or can you? 😏
Armchair patriot. Believes in the free market, cold beer, and that there’s always a guy named George behind every CNN segment.
Former remote-throwing champion turned #1 couch commentator on liberal panic in the media. Born in Texas (or so his mug says), he earned a degree in Fake Newsology & Beer Philosophy from YouTube University.
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