2. Trump pauses strikes |
Patriotic bunting in honor of America’s 250th is seen from President Trump’s motorcade at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., yesterday. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/APPresident Trump directed the U.S. military not to conduct new strikes in Iran on Friday, breaking a nearly two-week streak of daily attacks, Axios’ Barak Ravid reports.Why it matters: It’s unclear if Trump’s order on Friday was a one-off or the start of a lull after 13 days of U.S. attacks. Between the lines: Trump’s decision reflects that, short of a return to major combat operations, the current level of U.S. strikes has reached the limit of its effectiveness. If Trump orders a return to strikes, the U.S. military can mobilize on relatively short notice. The U.S. military is still preparing plans for a possible return to major combat operations, but Trump hasn’t ordered it to move in that direction, the sources said. How it happened: Every afternoon for the past two weeks, Trump has approved strike plans submitted by the military. They were conducted within hours. On Friday, Trump received a similar plan but didn’t give a green light. Instead, he directed the military not to conduct strikes, the sources said. Shortly after the Friday directive, Trump told reporters at the White House that he could continue or even escalate strikes, including “knocking out everything they have. “But he made clear that he thinks the “smarter strategy” is to “make a deal” with Iran. “We’re talking to [the Iranians] right now,” Trump said. “I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by. We’re locked and loaded and ready to go, but we’re talking to them. “That night, Trump said at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner that he doesn’t think Iran is ready to make a deal at the moment, “but I’m willing to listen.”  Behind the scenes: The Israeli security cabinet and Israel Defense Forces expected another round of U.S. strikes Friday, and even prepared for a massive U.S. attack that could trigger retaliation against Israel, Israeli officials say.The cabinet and military didn’t feel they had a full picture of what the U.S. would do, so they prepared for a major bombing offensive and remained on high alert. On Friday night, the Israelis were notified that Trump did not approve more strikes.Share this story. |
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Trump pauses strikes
Patriotic bunting in honor of America’s 250th is seen from President Trump’s motorcade at Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Va., yesterday. Photo: Jacquelyn Martin/APPresident Trump directed the U.S. military not to conduct new strikes in Iran on Friday, breaking a nearly two-week streak of daily attacks, Axios’Â
 Behind the scenes: The Israeli security cabinet and Israel Defense Forces expected another round of U.S. strikes Friday, and even prepared for a massive U.S. attack that could trigger retaliation against Israel, Israeli officials say.