Trump weighs holding off on new Iran strikes unless Tehran provokes US

President Trump has told senior aides he may hold off on further strikes on Iran unless Iran or its Houthi allies provoke the US, despite continuing to issue threats of military action. The private signal adds to conflicting public statements from the administration and leaves the course of the conflict uncertain.

The US struck Iranian defence facilities on Qeshm island a week ago, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the war was “militarily effectively over” and argued that economic pressure was sufficient. A US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is worsening Iran’s economic strain, but negotiations have made little progress; Saudi and Turkish leaders have urged restraint. Tensions remain high, with Iran warning of a decisive response to any renewed US or Israeli attack and claiming two tankers hit sea mines in the strait.