US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States will not attack Iran before the November midterm elections, citing ‘productive discussions’ with Tehran.

‘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 Truth Social. He said the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in full force and that his goal is to ensure Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon.

The comments came after The Atlantic reported that the White House had asked the Pentagon to draw up limited strike options against Iran that could be used before the elections. The report sent oil prices surging to $105 a barrel on Wednesday.

Trump’s post calmed markets on Thursday, with crude prices easing from their highs. The Treasury Department also announced new sanctions on 17 vessels it said were part of a shadow fleet moving Iranian oil.

The war with Iran, now in its eighth month, has become a political liability ahead of the midterms, with rising fuel prices weighing on Republican candidates.