Trump Tells Advisers He May Hold Off on New Iran Strikes Unless Provoked, Report Says
President Donald Trump has told senior advisers in recent days that he may hold off on new attacks on Iran as long as Tehran and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen avoid fresh provocations, according to a report. (RELATED: US Forces Shoot Down Iranian Attack Drones)
Reuters reported the private remarks, citing three people familiar with the matter. They said Trump still has not decided how to end the war he launched with Israel in February, alternating between threats to escalate and talk of winding down.
Trump made the comments in meetings with his national security advisers and after a series of intelligence briefings, the people said. He has also shown sympathy for allies in the region who asked him not to return to full-scale war.
“I could end it immediately, but at the request of the nations that I am looking to protect, we are doing it a little bit longer way, a bit more civilly,” Trump told sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith on Nov. 12.
Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Oct. 31 that he planned to attack after the midterm elections, two people familiar with the call told Reuters. The crown prince urged him to hold off, arguing sanctions were working.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan also urged Trump not to resume attacks, a senior U.S. official told Reuters. Trump made no commitment either way to either leader.
A White House official responded in a statement. “As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump is the architect and sole decision-maker who holds all the cards and will always ensure that America’s interests are protected,” a White House official said.
“The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing. Only President Trump knows what he will do, and when,” the official added.
U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that the naval blockade and sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy, two U.S. officials told Reuters. They also assessed that renewed strikes would not significantly shift Tehran’s demands in negotiations.
Trump was also briefed on weapons stockpiles, some drawn down to worrying levels, the report said. The White House official said the military “has enough munitions and ammo to serve all of the Commander-in-Chief’s strategic goals and beyond.”
The military remains ready to escalate. A third aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East to replace one of the two there, though all three could stay, people familiar with the planning said.
The war has raised fuel prices and proven unpopular. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken before the Nov. 3 elections, 55% of Americans said it was not worth the cost. Vice President JD Vance has blamed it for the GOP’s midterm losses.
Israeli officials have continued to lobby for another military campaign, a U.S. official said. Trump, meanwhile, has signaled he is done negotiating.
“We don’t need a deal with Iran,” Trump posted Nov. 12. “We’ve got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we’ve got their Strait!”
Since Election Day, Trump has backed away both from additional strikes and from more talks with Iran’s negotiators, leaving the region in limbo, an Associated Press analysis found.
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