🔻White House: All options are still on the table regarding Iran

Following reports by U.S. media that Donald Trump has so far decided not to escalate military operations against Iran, the White House emphasized that “all options” regarding Iran remain on the table.

Steven Cheung, the White House director of communications, told Fox News: “The president has always said that he prefers a diplomatic solution, but if Iran continues its terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against our allies, [Donald Trump] will still keep all of his options.”

Mr. Cheung added: “After successful sanctions that have paralyzed Iran’s economy and 13 consecutive days of attacks on military targets [by Iran] in response to repeated hostile actions, it would be reasonable for Iran to turn to negotiations for an agreement; otherwise, they know what will happen.”

The New York Times, Axios, CNN, and the Associated Press have reported that Donald Trump, at least in the current period, has decided not to escalate U.S. military attacks on Iran.

According to these outlets, the decision was made on Friday, after concerns were raised by officials about a reduction in Patriot defensive missile stockpiles and the possibility that the United States’ Arab allies in the Persian Gulf might draw farther away.

Meanwhile, Iran’s army has confirmed that Iran’s Islamic Republic military forces have ended their attacks since the halt of U.S. attacks.

A spokesperson for the army said, regarding the reason for this decision, that Iran’s strategy during this phase of the war has been “retaliatory.”