World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Trump may hold off on Iran strikes if there are no new provocations
Donald Trump is weighing whether to hold off on further strikes against Iran if Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen do not provoke the US.
The war began in February with the US and Israel, and Trump has sent mixed signals about whether to resume attacks, seek a deal or end the conflict.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey have urged him not to restart attacks, but he has made no commitment to them.
US intelligence assessments say sanctions and a naval blockade are hurting Iran’s economy, while the US military is also prepared to escalate if needed.
The conflict has driven up global fuel prices and is unpopular with many US voters; Trump has acknowledged it contributed to his party’s midterm losses.
Qatar is still trying to negotiate an interim agreement to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas, but Trump’s changing statements have clouded those efforts.
His next steps remain uncertain, and he is expected to discuss Iran with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin during a visit to Asia next week.
President Donald Trump has told senior advisers he may hold off on attacking Iran if there are no new provocations from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump has not committed to either resuming attacks or ending the conflict, and his public comments have shifted between the two positions.
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince and Turkey’s president have urged Trump not to resume attacks, according to people familiar with their calls.
US intelligence officials say the naval blockade and economic sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy.
The war has driven up global fuel prices and was unpopular with many US voters ahead of last week’s midterm elections.
- Who
- President Donald Trump is considering whether to hold off on further attacks. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan urged him not to resume strikes.
- What
- Trump may refrain from attacking Iran if there are no new provocations from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.
- When
- He discussed the possibility with advisers in recent days. The reports were published on November 14, 2026.
- Where
- The conflict is in and around Iran and the Middle East.
- Why
- Trump has indicated that allies asked him not to return to full-scale war, while US intelligence assessments say sanctions and the blockade are putting pressure on Iran.
Donald Trump and his administration
Democratic critics of Trump’s Iran policy
Military action
Donald Trump and his administration
Trump has warned he would act if needed, while also saying further major strikes may not be necessary.
Democratic critics of Trump’s Iran policy
Senator Cory Booker said Trump was acting like an arsonist who had set foreign policy ablaze and then wanted to walk away.
How to handle the conflict
Donald Trump and his administration
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic pressure had weakened Iran enough that military action was not needed.
Democratic critics of Trump’s Iran policy
Booker criticized Trump’s handling of the conflict and his apparent desire to withdraw from it.
Trump launched the war with Israel, according to the Straits Times.
Trump began a series of calls with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, according to Turkey’s presidency.
Trump told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman he was planning to attack after the elections, according to people familiar with the discussion.
The US midterm elections took place; the cited Reuters/Ipsos poll was conducted shortly before them.
An official readout of Trump’s call with Erdogan stressed that tensions between Iran and the US needed to end.
The Straits Times and AP published reports describing Trump’s shifting position on further attacks.
- Possible condition for holding off
- No new provocations from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen
- Saudi leader
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- Turkish leader
- President Tayyip Erdogan
- Economic pressure
- US naval blockade and sanctions are hurting Iran’s economy, according to US intelligence assessments
- Voter opinion
- 55% of Americans said the war was not worth the cost in a Reuters/Ipsos poll
- Conflict duration
- The AP described it as an 8-month-old conflict
3 sources
What people are saying
If something does not work out, I would not hesitate
I could end it immediately, but at the request of the nations that I am looking to protect, we are doing it a little bit longer way, a bit more civilly
The economic pain that we are inflicting on that regime is so great that there’s no need for military action because we’ve weakened them so much
President Trump is now acting like an arsonist who has set ablaze our foreign policy