Trump’s Clashing Advisers Press Him to Make Iran War Decision
Vice President JD Vance and Gulf allies are advising Trump to end the war, but other advisers are making the case for renewed attacks.
President Trump faces a critical decision as his advisers clash over whether to end the Iran war or escalate it further. Midterm elections saw the war repudiated by voters, with Vice President JD Vance questioning its worth. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Adm. Brad Cooper support returning to major combat operations, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocate for tightening sanctions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to push for renewed strikes, while Gulf allies express skepticism. Qatar is attempting a last-minute effort to prevent a new American operation and resolve tensions. Iranian diplomats are set to return to Doha for talks, possibly as early as Saturday. The proposed deal aims to drastically shorten the timetable for preliminary talks, potentially giving Trump a face-saving way to wind down the war.
However, it remains uncertain if Iran would accept such a deal. Trump is at a crossroads, with no unified team or favorable political climate guiding his decision. The U.S. has conducted small-scale strikes in recent weeks, cautioning they don't signal a return to full combat. Should Trump opt for diplomacy, Iran might extract greater concessions or attempt to seize the Strait of Hormuz. Trump's decision carries significant risk, as no course is without it.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times - World News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
