Trump tells advisers he may hold off on Iran strikes, sources say

A White House official said in a statement: "As Commander-in-Chief, President Trump is the architect and sole decision-maker who holds all the cards and will always ensure that America's interests are protected." The official added: "The United States is in a very strong position with control of the Strait of Hormuz and the Iranian economy collapsing. Only President Trump knows what he will do, and when." The CIA and Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to requests for comment.

In phone calls over the past two weeks, Trump asked for opinions from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who both urged him not to resume attacks on Iran, according to a senior US official and another person familiar with the matter. They said Trump made no commitment either way. Trump told bin Salman on October 31 that he was planning to attack after the elections, but the crown prince pleaded for him to hold off, arguing that economic sanctions against Iran were working, according to two more people familiar with the discussion. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

Trump has spoken with Erdogan three times since October 28, according to Turkey's presidency. An official readout from the November 7 call stressed that tensions between Iran and the US need to end.

US intelligence agencies have assessed that the US naval blockade and economic sanctions are hurting the Iranian economy and would continue to put pressure on Tehran, two US officials briefed on the intelligence said. Building on its months-long blockade of Iranian sea traffic, the US military is also seeking to prevent weapons and other sanctioned material from entering the country by land or through the Caspian Sea, Reuters first reported last week.

At the same time, the US military is ready to escalate if needed, three more people familiar with US planning said. A third aircraft carrier is moving into the Middle East in the coming days to replace one of the two currently operating in the region, but all three carriers could stay if needed, the people said.

Trump could opt to bomb Iran's underground nuclear facilities, one of the people familiar with Trump's calls with the Saudi and Turkish leaders said. But the US has already struck those facilities, and it is unclear whether further strikes would be successful. US intelligence agencies have assessed that renewed strikes would not significantly shift Iran's demands in negotiations, two US officials said.

Trump was also briefed on US weapon stockpiles, some of which have drawn down to worrying levels, the two people familiar with the intelligence briefings said. Reuters reported in August that the US had used "virtually all" of its long-range precision munitions, and another person briefed on the matter said they have not been replenished. The White House official said: "The United States Military has enough munitions and ammo to serve all of the Commander-in-Chief's strategic goals and beyond."

Israeli officials have continued to lobby the administration to engage in another military campaign, according to a US official. Trump signaled this week that the US has already achieved what it could from negotiations, but did not say whether he would resume strikes. "We don't need a deal with Iran," Trump said in a social media post on Thursday. "We've got their money, Hundreds of Billions of Dollars, and we've got their Strait!"

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