Trump Says No Attack on Iran Before Midterms, but US-Iran Talks Still See No Real Breakthrough

Odaily: US President Trump has stated that the United States will not bomb Iran before the midterm elections, but the US side is withdrawing some non-emergency personnel from Saudi Arabia, reducing forces at some Middle East bases, and deploying additional aircraft carriers and amphibious forces. The Israeli military reportedly sent dozens of fighter jets close to the Iranian border earlier this week before turning back, and its target list is also being updated. The US State Department has ordered the departure of non-emergency government employees and family members in Saudi Arabia only, citing attacks on Saudi civilian targets by Iran-backed Houthi forces. Separately, reports said the US military has quietly reduced its forces in Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and other locations in recent days. The Wall Street Journal reported that the US is deploying another aircraft carrier to the Middle East, with a third carrier strike group heading over from the Pacific direction, along with an amphibious assault ship carrying Marines. If the additional forces arrive and existing ships are not rotated out, the total number of US warships in the region is expected to exceed 24 (currently about 20). Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reportedly continues to advocate resuming large-scale strikes on Iran. Israel's Channel 12, citing US sources, reported that earlier this week dozens of Israeli fighter jets and refueling aircraft flew over Syria and Iraq toward the Iranian border, with flight routes highly similar to those used for attacks on Iran, before turning back before entering Iranian airspace; Israel described the flights as exercises and deterrence. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Qatar and others are stepping up mediation, but the US side demands talks on the nuclear program while Iran wants to first discuss reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and the negotiations still have no breakthrough.