Trump may delay planned strikes on Iran, but with condition - Reuters
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
The UІ may refrain from new strikes on Iran in the absence of provocations from Tehran. However, a military scenario remains on the agenda, according to Reuters.
According to three people familiar with the situation, US President Donald Trump has informed his senior advisors in recent days that he is considering not resuming large-scale attacks if Tehran or the Houthi rebels it supports in Yemen do not engage in new provocations.
At the same time, his public statements remain contradictory: the president alternates between threatening new strikes and talking about scaling back the military campaign.
Current and former US officials note that Trump has yet to decide how to end the conflict that the US launched alongside Israel in February.
The war remains unpopular, and Washington's allies in the Middle East are urging the US president not to return to full-scale combat operations.
Trump acknowledged that he is taking his partners' positions into account. In a recent interview with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, he stated: "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."
The White House emphasized that the final decision on further actions rests with the president. They also stated that the US holds strong positions, controls the Strait of Hormuz, and is observing the deteriorating economic situation in Iran.
"Only President Trump knows what he will do, and when," an administration official noted.
What military options is the US considering?
According to three additional Reuters sources, a third aircraft carrier is expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days. Initially, it is supposed to replace one of the two ships already in the region, but if necessary, all three could remain there.
Among the potential targets for new strikes are Iran's underground nuclear facilities. However, the US has already attacked these facilities, so the effectiveness of repeated strikes remains questionable.
According to US intelligence estimates, new attacks are unlikely to significantly alter Tehran's negotiating position. Furthermore, Trump was briefed on the state of US weapons stockpiles: some ammunition levels have dropped to an alarming level.
Situation in the Middle East
In recent days, Washington's stance on Iran has shifted from threats of new strikes to attempts to avoid a resumption of full-scale war.
On November 9, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi effectively issued an ultimatum to the US: Tehran gave two days to cease hostilities on all fronts, threatening a harsh response.
Already on November 10, Trump called a resumption of hostilities unlikely, though he assured that US troops were ready for escalation.
The following day, it became known that Washington is leaning toward a third scenario—increasing economic pressure on Tehran instead of new strikes or a peace agreement. This approach involves further restricting Iran's ability to finance military forces and replenish its armaments.
