Trump Says 'No Rush' to Decide on Resuming Iran Strikes on Eve of Midterm Elections

President Donald Trump said Monday, the eve of the US midterm elections, that he is in "no rush" to decide whether to resume fighting in Iran, telling Axios in a phone interview that the US will "do something" one way or the other. Trump said the US had crippled Iran financially, claiming it has no money or gasoline and that its people are growing tired of the conflict. Axios reported that Trump appears, for now, to be continuing on two tracks, letting negotiations play out while keeping the option of a major bombing campaign. The war began about eight months ago with a surprise US attack, and officials have leaked plans for new joint US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, missile stockpiles and civilian infrastructure. Trump ended a 28-stop campaign with a rally in Salina, Kansas. Kalshi gave Democrats a 74 percent chance of winning the Senate and 94 percent for the House, and a Morning Consult poll showed 56 percent disapproving of Trump against 41 percent approving, a net -15.

The Guardian US, on the left, runs an opinion column asking whether Trump will relaunch the war after 3 November. It argues a bombing campaign would not bring a deal closer, citing the Pentagon's rationale that an intensive multi-day attack would force concessions, and compares it to the thinking behind the original war. It focuses on Republican fears over energy prices and costs. The right-leaning Washington Examiner also writes opinion, framing the war as a broken promise from Trump's 2024 election-night pledge not to start wars, and cites polling dissatisfaction near 60 percent. The Daily Mail instead leads with Trump's "no rush" quote and adds his Lincoln Memorial rally plans, Kalshi odds and the Morning Consult numbers. Both sides portray the war as politically damaging to Republicans. The left stresses strategy and the futility of escalation, while the right stresses voter disapproval and departure from "America First" promises.