Bijan Kian, a national security expert, says that in reference to Trump’s remarks about refraining from targeting the leaders of the Islamic Republic, his statements during the middle of the war should not be considered equivalent to his final decision.

He says that in wartime conditions, Trump does not necessarily publicize all of his goals and decisions, and that his remarks could be made with the aim of managing the other side’s perceptions and controlling the economic consequences of the war.