Trump: No Plan to Strike Iran in the Near Future, but Ready If Needed

In depth

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged U.S. President Donald Trump to resume strikes on Iran in order to bring down the regime, in a conversation described as difficult and direct. Trump, for his part, preferred to exhaust the option of a diplomatic agreement, but warned that a heavy blow to Iran may be necessary. At the same time, Gulf states expressed concern that an American attack would lead to retaliatory strikes on their territory.

The United States struck targets on Qeshm Island in Iran in a series of limited and defensive attacks in recent weeks. According to Kan News, the strikes were carried out in response to Iranian fire at an American aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz, and were kept ambiguous so as not to undermine the negotiations. Trump addressed the activity and noted that the United States has not been at war for months, but again threatened that it may be necessary to attack Iran again soon.