US Halts Strikes on Iran Pre-Midterm Elections, Axios Reports

According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, a U.S. official has claimed that the White House ordered a halt to attacks on Iran to prevent escalation ahead of the U.S. midterm elections. The official suggested this cessation of hostilities has increased Iran’s confidence in launching its own attacks.

Axios also reported that the White House and Qatari mediators are still awaiting Iran’s response to a U.S. counter-proposal aimed at ending the conflict. Another U.S. official asserted that internal deliberations on the matter are ongoing in Tehran.

Regional mediators have reportedly informed Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in recent days that Tehran should not wait until after the U.S. midterm elections to respond to Washington. These mediators also cautioned Iran that there is no guarantee President Donald Trump would adopt a more conciliatory approach post-election; he might even take a more aggressive stance.