President Donald Trump has said the United States will not attack Iran before the November 3 midterm elections. He made the announcement in a Truth Social post on October 8.

Trump said Washington is having productive discussions with Iran. He added that the blockade of Iranian ports will remain in full force. The announcement followed reports that the White House had asked the Pentagon for limited strike options before the polls.

The war is now in its eighth month. It has pushed fuel prices higher and hurt Trump’s approval ratings. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found 60 percent of Americans disapprove of his handling of Iran.

The Treasury imposed fresh sanctions on Thursday on 17 vessels accused of moving Iranian crude. Brent crude fell to about $103.50 a barrel after Trump’s post eased supply fears. Trump said Iran was in “very bad condition” both economically and militarily. He added that his main goal is to ensure the country does not obtain a nuclear weapon.