Overview
- WSJ reports President Trump told the Pentagon on Jan. 13 to prepare strikes on Iran, then pulled back after advisers argued the U.S. lacked the resources to attack and shield forces and allies simultaneously.
- Trump told reporters "nobody convinced me; I convinced myself," cited Iran’s cancellation of planned executions, and did not say the decision against strikes was final.
- Israeli leaders are not pressing Washington to hit Iran and signaled they would follow U.S. guidance, Axios reported, while Arab officials urged restraint and warned of possible Iranian retaliation against bases.
- The administration’s pressure track includes four demands outlined by envoy Steve Witkoff—removing about 2,000 kg of enriched material, cutting missiles, and ending proxy support—and a new 25% tariff policy on countries doing business with Iran that Iraqi experts say harms Iraq’s interests.
- Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei formally blamed Trump for protest deaths and damage, energy markets swung on the tensions, and the White House invited Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to join a U.S.-led Gaza ‘peace council.’