It is reported that the US president is hesitant to strike Iran because he fears that the country’s government won’t be toppled.
According to a Thursday report by NBC, citing multiple sources familiar with the matter, US President Donald Trump aims to avoid a long – drawn – out conflict with Iran and instead deliver a quick and decisive blow to the country’s government.
In recent days, the US president has made multiple threats against the country, which has been hit by violent mass protests since late December. The unrest was triggered by sky – high inflation and the rapid devaluation of the national currency, and it eventually took on a political nature. Tehran has blamed the violence, which is reported to have caused hundreds of deaths, on the meddling of the US and Israel, as well as the “terrorist” infiltration among the protesters.
NBC’s sources suggested that despite publicly threatening Iran and telling protesters that “help is on its way,” Trump has been reluctant to attack the country. So far, his advisers haven’t been able to guarantee that an action would lead to the immediate collapse of the government. Reportedly, Trump is seeking a swift and decisive action to deal a fatal blow rather than engage in a prolonged conflict.
“If he takes action, he wants it to be conclusive,” one source told the broadcaster.
Several media outlets have indicated that US military action against Iran seems inevitable, especially considering that Pentagon personnel are reported to have been evacuated from bases in the Middle East in case of retaliatory strikes from Iran.
On Wednesday, Reuters, citing two unnamed European officials, claimed that an attack was “imminent” and could happen within the next 24 hours. An anonymous Israeli official also told the agency that the US president appears to have decided to strike Iran.
However, multiple outlets reported that major Arab Gulf states are privately pressuring the US not to launch strikes against Iran, warning that such an action could lead to a wider regional conflict and potentially disrupt the global oil market.