US President Donald Trump has told senior advisers in recent days that he may postpone an attack on Iran, provided the United States faces no new provocations from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to three sources familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Current and former US officials said Trump does not appear to have decided how to handle the conflict with Iran. However, in meetings with national security advisers and after a series of intelligence briefings, he said he was considering not going ahead with strikes. The three sources said Trump had shown understanding towards allies in the region who asked him to avoid a return to full-scale war. The war has driven up global fuel prices and proved unpopular with American voters, who handed control of Congress to the Democrats in last week’s midterm elections. A White House official said Trump alone makes the decisions and holds all the cards, adding that he will always ensure American interests are protected. The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to requests for comment.
Pressure from Riyadh and Ankara
In phone calls over the past two weeks, Trump sought the views of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Both urged him not to resume attacks on Iran, according to a senior US official and another person familiar with the matter, who added that Trump did not commit either way. Two other people familiar with the discussion said that on 31 October Trump told bin Salman he planned to launch an attack after the elections. The crown prince pleaded with him not to proceed, arguing that economic sanctions against Iran were working. The Saudi foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. According to the Turkish presidency, Trump has spoken with Erdogan three times since 28 October, and an official readout of their 7 November call stressed the need to end tensions between Iran and the United States.
Carriers and sanctions
US agencies assess that the naval blockade and economic sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy and will continue to put pressure on Tehran. Sources familiar with the matter said a third aircraft carrier is expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, replacing one of the two already operating in the region, though all three could remain if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, Israeli officials continue to press the Trump administration to launch a new military operation, according to a US official. Trump suggested this week that the United States had already achieved what it could through negotiations, without saying whether he intends to resume strikes.
Source: CNA
