Trump team carries differing views on further Iran strategy — CNN
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The US presidential administration has differing views on how to proceed with Iran. The options include both diplomatic measures and a more "aggressive approach," CNN reports.
Several administration officials said they want to see how talks between Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping unfold. However, according to the outlet, the US president returned from Beijing on Friday, and there appear to be no breakthroughs on Iran.
In particular, Trump told reporters that Xi Jinping had expressed support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and agreed that Iran should not develop nuclear weapons. However, China has made similar statements before.
Now the US president must decide whether carrying out new strikes on Iran is the best way to end a conflict that has lasted about six weeks, far longer than initially predicted. This, in turn, has led to a sharp rise in gasoline prices and a drop in the president's approval ratings.
According to sources, the views within the administration on the next steps differ. Some, including Pentagon officials, support a more aggressive approach, including targeted strikes that they hope would increase pressure on Iran and force it into compromise.
Others, however, favor maintaining a focus on diplomacy. President Trump himself has also leaned toward this approach in recent weeks. He had hoped that a combination of direct talks and economic pressure would convince Iran to strike a deal. But Tehran has not significantly changed its position since Trump announced a ceasefire in April.
