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Questions Inside the Administration
Trump’s statement caught some senior officials off guard. Many had believed strikes were still a distinct possibility, and some wondered whether the president’s remarks were intentionally ambiguous.
The comparison to June, when Trump issued noncommittal public statements shortly before ordering strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, was not lost on those involved. The White House was quick to clarify that all options, including military ones, remained under consideration.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the administration’s message to Tehran was direct: continued killings would have consequences. At the same time, she stressed that the president was keeping his decision-making process closely held.
“The truth is only President Trump knows what he’s going to do,” she said, adding that only a very small circle of advisers had insight into his thinking.
Allies Press for De-escalation
As Washington debated its next move, U.S. allies moved quickly to press for restraint.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke directly with Trump, encouraging him to delay any military action. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Israeli officials expressed skepticism that Iran’s leadership would fall quickly without a prolonged campaign. They also raised concerns about regional missile defense readiness, which had already been tested during prior confrontations.
The message carried particular weight given Netanyahu’s past advocacy for coordinated military action against Iran. This time, however, caution prevailed.
Gulf States Seek Stability
U.S. partners in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, were also engaged in quiet diplomacy. They were informed in advance of certain U.S. military movements, which were intended to signal seriousness without triggering escalation.
Privately, American officials conveyed that the primary objective was not regime change or military confrontation, but an end to the killings. The president, they said, was looking for a clear signal that Iran intended to pause or halt executions.
Saudi officials publicly echoed a desire for restraint. “Everybody is watching the situation very closely,” said Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. “Everybody is hoping that the situation can be resolved in a manner that minimizes any kind of damage.”