Trump considers holding off on Iran strikes unless Tehran provokes US - Reuters

Detailed summary

US President Donald Trump has told senior advisers he may hold off on renewed military strikes against Iran unless Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen take further…

US President Donald Trump has told senior advisers he may hold off on renewed military strikes against Iran unless Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen take further provocative action, Reuters reported on Saturday, citing three people familiar with the discussions.

Trump has not made a final decision but has expressed sympathy for regional allies urging him to avoid another escalation, according to the report.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have both urged Trump not to resume attacks during recent phone calls, Reuters said.

Israel, meanwhile, has continued pressing Washington to launch another military campaign against Iran.

US intelligence assessments indicate that economic sanctions and the naval blockade are damaging Iran's economy, while additional strikes are unlikely to significantly change Tehran's negotiating demands.

The US military is also preparing for possible escalation, with a third aircraft carrier heading to the region.

A White House official told Reuters that Trump remained the sole decision-maker and would act to protect American interests.

Trump said on Thursday that Washington no longer needed an agreement with Iran, declaring, "We've got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we've got their Strait!"

Opening of the article, excerpted from Iran International. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.