Trump Says No Attack on Iran Before Midterms, Pauses Military Operations Amid Heavy Losses

[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump has abruptly declared that he will not attack Iran before next month's midterm elections. The move appears to be an effort to slow the pace of operations as prolonged military actions have led to heavy U.S. force losses, while key military hubs have been exposed to direct threats, fueling voter discontent.

Here is a report from Washington correspondent Lee Hanseok.

[Reporter]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media that productive discussions are underway with Iran, making it clear that there will be no attacks at any point before the elections.

He has publicly declared a moratorium on military attacks against Iran ahead of the midterm elections.

However, he made it clear that the total blockade of maritime crude oil shipments against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz will be fully maintained to sustain economic pressure.

This is interpreted as an effort to pace the strategy as rumors of an imminent resumption of large-scale military operations sent international oil prices fluctuating and voter discontent over military expenditure costs surged.

According to a report by the U.S. Congressional Research Service, the U.S. military has suffered the destruction or damage of 81 aircraft in this war against Iran, resulting in losses of up to $3.3 billion, which exceeds 4.4 trillion won.

In particular, MQ-9 Reaper drones, known as sky assassins, accounted for more than half of the losses, and damage was also tallied for F-35A stealth fighters and airborne early warning and control aircraft.

With total war costs alone reaching at least 60 trillion won, critics point out that the military and financial hemorrhaging has reached its peak.

Adding to this, allied bases that serve as footholds for U.S. military power have been exposed to direct threats.

Two Latvian nationals attempting to break into an air force base in Cambridgeshire, UK, were urgently arrested on charges of violating the National Security Act.

This location, housing key intelligence facilities for the U.S. and NATO, has been engulfed in terrorist threats once again, following the Fairford base where bombers were recently withdrawn.

With astronomical military losses and security threats intersecting with election sentiments, the Trump administration's strategy toward Iran is shifting from a military offensive to a pause for breath.

(Video footage by Oh Jung-shik | Video editing by So Ji-hye)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.