Trump promises not to resume Iran strikes before midterm elections

The United States imposed sanctions Thursday targeting "the remnants of Iran's shadow fleet" of tankers used to transport oil products to foreign markets — the latest move to ramp up pressure in its war against Tehran.

"Today's action effectively neutralizes the vast majority of Iran's remaining shadow fleet network," the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement.

The aim is to deprive Tehran of funds needed to "wage war in the region," added Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Thursday's move takes aim at 17 vessels said to have moved millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil, alongside petroleum and petrochemical products, to markets across South and East Asia.

The Treasury Department designated companies that own these vessels, accusing them of operating in the petroleum or petrochemical sectors of the Iranian economy.

Another crude oil tanker was struck in the Strait of Hormuz this week, according to a U.K. navy maritime monitor. It said the incident happened Tuesday.

In a post on X Thursday, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said the tanker was "struck by an unknown projectile" and that there were no casualties, though the damage to the vessel is unknown.

Several other vessels have been struck in the waterway recently, according to UKMTO.

President Trump has promised the U.S. would not attack Iran before the midterm elections, which take place on Nov. 3. He also touted "productive conversations" with Iran, though he did not provide specifics.

"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," he wrote on Truth Social .

Several outlets reported on Thursday that Mr. Trump was considering new strikes on Iran before the midterms.

The Trump administration has consistently provided numbers for the millions of barrels being escorted out of the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. military protection. Moving out 22 million barrels of oil in one night would mark a total similar to prewar levels.

Brent crude, the international standard, was up to $105 a barrel, about a 4% increase from close Wednesday, before Mr. Trump's post on social media. After the post, it dropped to $103 a barrel.

The Saudi civil defence agency said in a post on X that a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh were damaged by debris from a missile interception on Thursday, after Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis said they had targeted the capital's airport.