Trump says the US is holding back tougher measures against Iran following requests from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE.
US President Donald Trump © AP Photo/Alex Brandon
US President Donald Trump has said that Washington is holding back tougher measures in its conflict with Iran following requests from several Middle Eastern countries. Speaking about the ongoing situation, Trump stated that the United States could take more aggressive action but has chosen a more restrained approach at the request of regional allies, according to The Times of Russia.
Trump Holds Back Tougher Measures Against Iran Following Regional Requests
During a conversation with US TV journalist and sports commentator Stephen A. Smith, Trump was asked why Washington had not yet managed to bring the conflict with the Islamic Republic to an end.
Responding to the question, the US president claimed that he could end the conflict immediately. However, he explained that several countries in the region had requested that Washington avoid escalating its actions.
“I could end it immediately. At the request of the nations that I’m looking to protect, we are doing it a little bit longer way, a little bit more civilly. Saudi Arabia has asked me to ‘please just let it be the way it is now for a while,'” Trump said.
The president further revealed that Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates had all approached him with requests to maintain the current approach rather than move towards stronger action.
Trump Says US Could Take Further Military Action Against Iran
Trump emphasized that the United States could have gone further with its actions against Iran if regional countries had not requested restraint. He maintained that Washington had already carried out significant attacks but had deliberately avoided targeting certain critical infrastructure.
“We’ve gone very far. We’ve attacked them pretty far, but we, for the most part, left their bridges alone. We took out one big bridge because they behaved very badly, but and we’ve let their electric, you know, manufacturing capability survive, and we haven’t attacked their energy at all,” he said.
His remarks indicate that the United States has so far avoided broader attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure, while also leaving most bridges and electricity-related manufacturing capabilities untouched.
Trump also pointed to the destruction of one major bridge, stating that the action followed what he described as Iran’s unacceptable behaviour.
Middle Eastern Countries Seek Restraint in the Iran Conflict
Trump’s statement highlights the role of regional governments in shaping Washington’s approach to the ongoing Donald Trump Iran conflict. According to the president, requests from several Middle Eastern allies have influenced the decision to avoid more extensive military action.
By referring to requests from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, Trump suggested that the current US strategy reflects a more restrained response despite Washington’s ability to pursue further measures.
The comments also bring attention to the wider regional implications of US measures against Iran, particularly as neighbouring countries seek to avoid further escalation.
For more international developments and updates on the US-Iran conflict, follow The Times of Russia.
