Report: Trump nearly ordered Iran strikes in recent days, but held off after new proposal from Tehran

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly shifted his stance in recent days on whether to resume military action against Iran, but is currently holding off to allow negotiations to play out, Channel 12 reports, citing senior US officials.

According to the report, Trump came close on Friday to ordering a renewed wave of strikes, but reversed course at the last moment after Iran submitted an updated proposal for a deal to end the war — a proposal he later rejected. Instead, he opted to proceed with an operation to free up the Strait of Hormuz for shipping while giving diplomacy more time.

Trump is reportedly facing pressure from advisers outside the White House to resume fighting, though officials stress that as of now, he still prefers to exhaust negotiations.

However, US officials warn that if talks remain deadlocked in the coming days, Trump is prepared to order a short and powerful military campaign aimed at breaking the impasse.

Trump’s advisers, including Jared Kushner, are said to have told him progress is being made in narrowing gaps with Iran, but cautioned there is no guarantee any agreement reached with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi would be accepted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Meanwhile, US officials are downplaying recent Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and against the United Arab Emirates, saying they do not cross a threshold that would necessitate renewed war.

Earlier today, Trump declined to say what Iran would have to do for him to deem that it has violated the ceasefire, telling reporters, “I’ll let you know when they do.”

At the same time, the US military is continuing operations to secure shipping lanes in the strait, maintaining its blockade on Iran and preparing for the possibility of rapid military action if ordered, the report adds.