Trump Reportedly Tells Advisers He May Hold Off on Iran Strikes Without New Provocations

President Donald Trump has reportedly told senior advisers he might hold off on further attacks on Iran if Tehran and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis do not provoke the United States again. Three people familiar with the discussions described that conditional position in a report published on November 14, after meetings with national-security advisers and intelligence briefings in recent days. A White House official emphasized that the decision remained Trump’s, saying: “Only President Trump knows what he will do, and when.” A U.S. official said Israeli officials continued urging the administration to undertake another military campaign against Iran. One person familiar with Trump’s discussions said attacks on underground nuclear sites remained among his options. Three people familiar with military planning said U.S. forces remained ready to escalate. A third aircraft carrier was heading toward the Middle East to replace one of the two already operating there, but all three could stay if needed, according to the report’s sources. Two U.S. officials briefed on intelligence said the naval blockade and sanctions were damaging Iran’s economy and would keep pressuring Tehran. Two U.S. officials also said intelligence assessments indicated that renewed strikes would not substantially alter Iran’s negotiating demands.