Overview
- The Wall Street Journal reports Trump ordered strike preparations on January 13, then pulled back after objections that highlighted escalation risks, limited regional assets, and Israel’s stance that it was not pressing for a U.S. attack.
- Trump said “nobody convinced” him not to strike and that he “convinced himself,” while leaving all options open and citing Iran’s reported halt of planned executions as influential.
- U.S. options discussed included Tomahawk cruise missile strikes and repositioning a carrier strike group toward the Middle East, according to U.S. media reports.
- Washington broadened nonmilitary pressure, with the president announcing a 25% tariff on any country doing business with Iran, a move Iraqi experts warn could harm Iraq’s interests.
- Envoy Steve Witkoff set out U.S. demands—removal of roughly 2,000 kg of enriched material, cuts to missile stocks, and an end to proxy support—as the administration advances a Gaza “Council of Peace” that Bloomberg says would seek over $1 billion from countries for permanent seats.