Trump May Hold Off on New Iran Strikes as Allies Urge Restraint

United States President Donald Trump has told senior advisers he may hold off on further attacks against Iran if Tehran and the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen launch no new provocations, according to people familiar with the discussions. The signal of restraint follows weeks of pressure from regional allies, after a conflict that began in February and pushed up global fuel prices. Trump has not yet made a final decision.

FAKTA

• What happened: Trump told advisers he may hold off on new Iran strikes if there are no new provocations.
• Who urged restraint: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
• Military picture: A third US aircraft carrier is heading to the Middle East; two are already there.
• Public mood: 55 percent of Americans said the war was not worth its cost, a Reuters/Ipsos poll found.
• What is next: Trump has made no commitment, and the White House says he alone will decide.

Allies Urge Restraint

Trump sought the views of the Saudi crown prince and the Turkish president in calls over the past two weeks, according to a senior US official and another person familiar with the matter. Both leaders urged him not to resume attacks on Iran. Trump made no commitment to either leader.

On October 31, Trump told Prince Mohammed he planned to attack Iran after the US elections, two people familiar with the discussion said. The crown prince pleaded with him to hold off, arguing that sanctions were already working. Trump has spoken with Erdogan three times since October 28.

Military Options Stay Open

Even as restraint is considered, the US military remains ready to escalate if needed, according to people familiar with American planning. A third aircraft carrier is moving into the Middle East in the coming days to replace one of the two carriers already there, but all three could stay if tensions rise.

One possible target would be Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, which US forces have already struck. It is unclear whether further strikes would succeed, and intelligence assessments suggest they would not change Iran’s negotiating position. Trump was also briefed on weapon stockpiles, some of which have fallen to worrying levels.

Political Cost at Home

The war has proved unpopular with American voters. In a Reuters/Ipsos poll taken shortly before the November 3 elections, 55 percent of Americans said the war was not worth its cost, and Democrats went on to take control of Congress. Vice President JD Vance cited the conflict as a reason for the Republican losses.

Trump said on Thursday he could end the confrontation immediately but wanted a more lasting outcome. For now, he appears to be weighing restraint against the risk of renewed fighting, a choice that could shape security across the region and influence global energy markets.