Overview
- The Wall Street Journal reports Trump told the Pentagon on January 13 to prepare options to strike Iran, then held off after advisers warned of risks and limited assets in theater.
- Trump told reporters that nobody persuaded him not to strike and said he convinced himself, without stating that a decision is final.
- Israeli leaders, according to Axios, are not urging a U.S. attack and say they will follow Washington’s lead, as Gulf states have pressed for caution.
- U.S. options remain visible with Tomahawk-armed destroyers and a carrier strike group moving toward the region, and analysts say any action would likely rely on air and naval strikes rather than ground troops.
- Envoy Steve Witkoff outlined U.S. demands that include eliminating roughly 2,000 kg of enriched material, cutting missile stocks, and ending proxy support, as Trump announced a 25% tariff on countries doing business with Iran and Iran’s Supreme Leader blamed him for protest casualties.