Khaberni - Axios reported from sources, on Thursday evening, that U.S. President Donald Trump delayed making a decision on ordering a military strike against Iran, at a time when consultations are ongoing within the White House and with U.S. allies about the timing of any potential operation, and whether it would actually destabilize the Iranian regime, according to five U.S., Israeli, and Arab sources with knowledge.
According to the sources, the military option remains strongly on the table, however, the decision to hesitate revealed a state of uncertainty within the U.S. administration and among allies about the risks of a strike that could punish Iran but might also open the door to wide retaliatory responses.
While Trump considers diplomatic options, the U.S. military has begun evacuating forces from bases in the Middle East, and sending additional reinforcements to the region, including the U.S. aircraft carrier "Abraham Lincoln" and its strike group.
Although a strike does not appear imminent currently, an informed U.S. source told Axios, "Everyone knows the President is keeping his finger on the button."
In this context, Israeli officials have expressed reservations in the last 48 hours about the timing and feasibility of any strike.
According to U.S. and Israeli sources, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked Trump, during a phone call on Wednesday, to hesitate to allow more time for Israel to prepare for a potential Iranian response. The New York Times was the first to report this request.
An Israeli source reported that the current American plan includes targeting facilities belonging to the Iranian security forces, but Israel does not see it as strong or effective enough to truly shake the regime's structure.
