Axios: Trump’s tipping point

Posted on April 7, 2026 by michelleclarke2015
Trump’s tipping point
 
Photo illustration of President Donald Trump in a collage featuring a mural of Iran's slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, supporters of the Houthi movement brandishing their weapons, the Strait of Hormuz, and radar and clock elements
Photo illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios. Photos: Getty Images
 
President Trump faces a momentous decision on a tight timeline: Carry out his threat to obliterate Iran’s infrastructure beginning tonight at 8 p.m. ET, or push his deadline again to give negotiations a chance, Axios’ Barak Ravid writes.

Why it matters: Trump has threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran, among other options that would have devastating consequences for ordinary Iranians and spark retaliation across the region.

Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to avert that outcome by brokering a deal — or at least putting time back on the clock.

“If the president sees a deal is coming together, he’ll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision,” a senior administration official told Axios. A defense official said they were “skeptical” there would be any extension this time around.

This account is based on interviews with six officials and sources with direct knowledge of the ongoing diplomacy or Trump’s thinking. 

Behind the scenes: Trump might be the most hawkish person in the top echelons of his administration on Iran, according to a U.S. source who spoke to him several times in recent days.

“The president is the most bloodthirsty, like a mad dog,” another U.S. official said, downplaying stories that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or Secretary of State Marco Rubio were egging him on. “Those guys sound like the doves compared to the president.

“Trump has started sounding out advisers and confidants about the plan to strike power plants and bridges by asking them: “What do you think of Infrastructure Day?“

Breaking it down: Trump’s negotiating team — Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner — thinks he should try to get a deal now if possible.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the leaders of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and political allies like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) are urging Trump not to agree to a ceasefire unless Iran makes concessions that currently appear unlikely, like reopening the Strait of Hormuz or relinquishing all highly enriched uranium.

The other side: Iran gave a 10-point response to the current peace proposals yesterday.

A U.S. official described it as “maximalist,” but the White House saw it as a negotiating gambit, not a rejection.

The mediators told the White House they’re working with the Iranians on amendments and redrafting. They also cautioned that Iranian decision-making is very slow, so an extension of the deadline might be needed.

Trump’s advisers told the mediators the president needs to see positive indications from the Iranians to consider an extension. 

Trump laid out a dire vision of Iran’s near future during his press conference, while adding that a deal was still possible.

“The entire country could be taken out in one night, and it might be tomorrow night,” Trump said.

“We have a plan where every bridge in Iran will be decimated by 12 o’clock tomorrow night. Where every power plant in Iran will be out of business, burning, exploding and never to be used again. I mean complete demolition by 12 o’clock, and it will happen over a period of four hours if we wanted to,” Trump said. “We don’t want that to happen.“

On the other hand, Trump said negotiations were “going fine” and stressed the U.S. has “an active, willing participant on the other side” that is “negotiating in good faith.”Share this story.
 

Unknown's avatar

About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a comment