US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the US would not attack Iran before the midterm elections because the two sides were engaged in “productive discussions.” “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 wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. Trump said the US and Iran were having “productive discussions,” while maintaining that a blockade of Iran "will remain in full force and effect". BREAKING: Trump on 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. https://t.co/UOCKMtsKEt — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 8, 2026 Trump also claimed that oil was flowing through the Strait of Hormuz at “record numbers,” claiming that 22 million barrels had passed through the waterway later on Wednesday and that “not one barrel” came from or was going to Iran. “Iran will not have a nuclear weapon!” he added. His comments came amid media reports that the White House asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes on Iranian targets that could be carried out before the midterm elections. Iran rejects giving up uranium enrichment, handing over enriched stockpile Iran would not give up its right to enrich uranium or hand over its enriched uranium stockpile, the country's nuclear chief Mohammad Eslami said on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, said uranium enrichment was an inseparable part of the nuclear process, according to state broadcaster IRIB. When asked whether Tehran could abandon uranium enrichment, he said: “Under no circumstances.” Iran’s nuclear chief says Tehran will not give up its right to uranium enrichment or hand over its uranium stockpile. pic.twitter.com/HQJn6s4TKD — Clash Report (@clashreport) October 8, 2026 “How can you claim to have a nuclear industry without having the starting point of the process?” he asked. Eslami said the nuclear industry was a driving force behind scientific and technological development, stressing that Iran would not retreat from its right to technological advancement. He also ruled out handing over Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, saying: “No, there is no such thing.” Regarding cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, Eslami said inspections of nuclear facilities damaged by US-Israeli attacks remained impossible because of continuing security threats. “The agency itself knows that the facilities have been bombed and that the threat remains active,” he said. Eslami said Iranian legislation restricted cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog, particularly over concerns about the safety of nuclear facilities, personnel and researchers. “As long as security is not established, naturally, their entry is not possible,” he added. However, Eslami said IAEA inspectors had visited facilities that were not targeted in the attacks and carried out routine inspections under arrangements made by Tehran. He criticised the agency for failing to acknowledge those inspections and accused it of acting under pressure from the US and Israel to gather information about damaged nuclear facilities. The remarks came amid continuing disagreements between Tehran and the IAEA over access to nuclear sites damaged in US-Israeli strikes. Iran's parliament approved legislation in June 2025 suspending cooperation with the IAEA following Israeli and US attacks on the country's nuclear facilities. The legislation made inspections conditional on security guarantees and approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council. Iran's Natanz, Fordow and Isfahan nuclear facilities were targeted during the June 2025 conflict, while Natanz was struck again during US-Israeli attacks in March 2026. In June, the IAEA Board of Governors adopted a resolution calling on Tehran to provide information about its enriched uranium stockpiles and grant inspectors access to verify nuclear material. The agency had said it remained unable to verify the status and whereabouts of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile because of restricted access to nuclear facilities. Tehran maintains that its nuclear program is exclusively peaceful and insists that uranium enrichment is its legitimate right under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Iran's Pezeshkian says Tehran cannot be easily isolated amid strong ties with neighbours Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Thursday that Iran cannot be easily isolated, pointing to the country’s ties and extensive exchanges with its neighbors. “They cannot isolate us so easily because we have 15 neighboring countries in the region, and through each of these routes, we can maintain many of our economic, commercial, political and security exchanges,” Pezeshkian told reporters before departing for Turkmenistan, according to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB. He said opportunities arising from regional engagement could also contribute to developing Iran’s interactions, regulations and trade. “I hope we can achieve the objectives we have in mind and will pursue through our discussions,” he added. Strait of Hormuz security depends on Iran’s will and readiness, says navy commander Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani stressed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, saying its security depended on the will, vigilance and readiness of Iran’s defenders, IRNA reported on Thursday In a message to Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali Ozamaei on the occasion of the Day of the IRGC Naval Force, Irani said the sea was an arena of vital interests for Iran and one of the most important manifestations of safeguarding national security and authority. He said protecting this maritime front required personnel who combined faith and knowledge with courage and readiness and were prepared to respond without delay in moments of danger. Irani said the IRGC Naval Force had played a pivotal role in protecting Iran’s national interests and securing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz through years of sustained presence and efforts across the Persian Gulf. Navy commander: Hormuz security depends on Iran’s will and readinesshttps://t.co/r6JHigtUQh pic.twitter.com/1VAg56vpSU — IRNA News Agency ☫ (@IrnaEnglish) October 8, 2026 He attributed these efforts to the force’s reliance on domestic capabilities and what he described as a spirit of jihad. The Iranian Navy commander said this responsibility had become even more important during the Ramadan War and the Hormuz Battle, when IRGC forces defended the country’s territory and interests against the aggression by the “American-Zionist enemy”. He said the operations had once again demonstrated that the security of the strategic waterway rested on the will and readiness of Iran’s defenders. Iran’s armed forces stronger, more prepared than ever: deputy commander Iran’s deputy commander-in-chief, Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Dadras, said the country’s armed forces were stronger and more prepared than ever, PressTV reported on Thursday. He also highlighted the continued presence and resilience of the Iranian people. Iran’s armed forces more prepared than ever, says deputy commander-in-chief Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Dadras says the country’s armed forces are stronger and more prepared than ever. He also highlights the continued presence and resilience of the Iranian people. pic.twitter.com/WTR1jPg43S — Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) October 8, 2026 Iranian intelligence sets sights on US military bases in Germany, WiWo reports Iranian intelligence services are targeting US military bases in Germany, including Ramstein and Spangdahlem, amid concerns over potential covert attacks linked to the Iran conflict, German news outlet WirtschaftsWoche reported on Thursday. Israel warned US and German partners three weeks ago of a potential threat, with concern focused on bases supporting US military operations and logistics linked to the conflict with Iran, the report said, citing several unnamed Western intelligence officials. The German defence ministry and the US forces in Germany were not immediately available for comment. Trump says Iran deal 'isn't really something that I want to do' US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that his special envoy Steve Witkoff is "doing very well" in negotiations with Iran while indicating that a deal is not his preferred outcome. "He's working on the Iran deal and doing very well. I think the deal isn't really something that I want to do, but they're willing to offer us anything to stop," Trump told supporters at a campaign rally in San Antonio, Texas. "They will never have a nuclear weapon," he added. Trump described Witkoff as "a great negotiator" who has "done some phenomenal things," citing the ceasefire deal in Gaza. The president also said he expects the war with Iran to end soon. "That war ends – it's going to be very soon. It's got to be very soon," he said, describing Iran as "a failed nation." His remarks came as media reports said that the White House has asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes on Iranian targets that could be carried out before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Trump may order new strike on Iran before midterms: reports The White House has asked the Pentagon to develop options for strikes on Iranian targets that could be carried out before the Nov. 3 midterm elections, according to media reports on Wednesday. Asked about the reports, a Pentagon official told Anadolu: "The Department's job is to develop and present military options to the president." The official did not confirm or deny the reports. The Atlantic reported, citing two administration officials, that the size and targets of any potential strikes—and whether the administration will ultimately proceed— are still being debated. Trump's advisers believe the right moment for new strikes would be after the midterms rather than before, the magazine said. Read: Vance says Iran must cut enrichment to end war A White House official told The Atlantic that Trump "has all options available at any time," but did not address questions about the timing of possible strikes. Separately, Axios reported that the Pentagon instructed US Central Command (CENTCOM) several days ago to conclude preparations for resuming major combat operations in Iran, citing US officials. The directive did not include a specific date for launching strikes, according to the report. Attacks on tankers in Hormuz hit highest of any week since start of Iran war, sources say Attacks on tankers sailing through the Strait of Hormuz hit their highest last week of any week since the ​Iran war began, according to maritime security sources tracking incidents, amid ‌a bigger export push by Gulf producers. Attacks, attempted attacks, and harassment activity, including drone overflights, surveillance, and hailing using VHF radio by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, have persisted ​in the strait, the US Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) said ​in a note on Sunday. "These actions continue to demonstrate Iran’s ⁠intent to assert presence along key transit lanes and maintain pressure ​on transiting vessels," the JMIC said. In the week of September 28-October 5, there ​had been at least 12 attacks on oil, liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas tankers around the Strait of Hormuz, according to data from three maritime security ​sources who analysed incidents based on information received from the area. Read more: UN chief heads to Islamabad to boost Pakistan-led US-Iran peace talks That ​was the highest number of attacks in a single week since the US war with ‌Iran ⁠began on February 28, the sources said. Separate data collated by the UN's shipping agency, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), showed nine incidents involving vessels in the same week. The UN body tends to take longer to verify and ​officially record incidents, ​maritime sources say. The ⁠closest week in terms of comparable incidents was the week of July 13, when there were eight incidents, ​separate IMO data showed. Gulf oil exporters topped pre-war levels for ​about half ⁠of September, shipping data showed on Monday, though attacks on tankers and logistical constraints cloud the outlook for sustained higher flows. India's foreign ministry said on ⁠Tuesday that ​12 crew members were injured after an unknown ​projectile struck Panama-flagged oil tanker On Peace while it was passing through the Strait of ​Hormuz.