Trump Tells Advisers He May Hold Off on Iran Strikes Barring New Provocations

The Gulf economies have the most at stake in that choice. The war that the US and Israel began on February 28 has raised global fuel prices and disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Gulf states have spent months absorbing missile and drone attacks. A decision against renewed strikes would lower the risk of another round of escalation hitting regional energy infrastructure and trade routes. Current and former officials told the news agency that Trump does not appear to have settled on how to end the conflict, and he has alternated between threatening new strikes and talking about winding hostilities down.

According to the people, Trump raised the option of holding off in meetings with his national security advisers and after a series of intelligence briefings. He has also shown sympathy for regional allies who have asked him not to return to full-scale war. "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," Trump told sports broadcaster Stephen A. Smith on Thursday.

A White House official said in a statement that Trump "is the architect and sole decision-maker" and that the US "is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing. Only President Trump knows what he will do, and when."

Gulf and Turkish Pressure

In calls over the past two weeks, Trump sought views from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, and both urged him not to resume attacks, a senior US official and another person familiar with the matter said. Trump made no commitment either way, they said. Two further people said Trump told the crown prince on October 31 that he planned to attack after the US elections. Mohammed bin Salman urged him to wait, arguing that economic sanctions on Iran were working. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry did not respond to Reuters. Turkey's presidency says Trump and Erdogan have spoken three times since October 28, and its readout of a November 7 call said tensions between Iran and the US need to end.

The domestic politics have also shifted. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken shortly before the November 3 midterms, 55% of Americans said the war was not worth the cost. Democrats won control of Congress in that vote, and Vice President JD Vance has cited the war as the reason Republicans lost.

Blockade, Carriers and Stockpiles

US intelligence agencies assess that the naval blockade and sanctions are hurting Iran's economy and will keep up pressure on Tehran, two US officials said. The officials also said renewed strikes would not significantly change Iran's negotiating demands. The US military is trying to stop weapons and sanctioned goods from reaching Iran overland and across the Caspian Sea.

The military is ready to escalate if ordered, three other people familiar with US planning said. A third aircraft carrier will move into the Middle East in the coming days to replace one of the two already there, though all three could stay. One option is bombing Iran's underground nuclear sites again, but the US has already struck them and it is unclear whether further strikes would work.

Trump has also been briefed that some US weapons stockpiles have fallen to worrying levels, people familiar with the briefings said. Reuters reported in August that the US had used "virtually all" of its long-range precision munitions, and a person briefed on the matter said they have not been replenished. The White House official said the military has enough munitions "to serve all of the Commander-in-Chief's strategic goals and beyond."

Israeli officials are still lobbying for a new military campaign, a US official said. Trump said on social media on Thursday that "We don't need a deal with Iran," leaving open whether the next move will be restraint or renewed strikes.