Why Trump is delaying a strike on Iran. New report raises key US concerns

President Donald Trump is reportedly delaying a decision on striking Iran.

Published on: Jan 16, 2026, 02:34:42 IST

By Yash Nitish Bajaj

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President Donald Trump is reportedly delaying a decision on striking Iran. Axios cited Israeli and Arab sources to report that the White House is consulting allies about the timing for this operation and ‘whether it would meaningfully destabilize the regime’. This comes after the US envoy to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, on Thursday said that Tehran is ready for a dialogue with Washington, ‘but its actions say otherwise’.

Donald Trump has threatened Iran with military action (REUTERS)

Axios further stated that Trump's administration officials and US allies are uncertain over how to punish Iran without triggering a broader regional war. While military action remains a live option, officials are reportedly weighing the risk of retaliation.

The publication added that as Trump considers next steps, the Pentagon has begun repositioning forces in the Middle East. US troops are being evacuated from some bases, while additional assets, including the USS Abraham Lincoln and its strike group, are being deployed.

A US official familiar with the discussions told Axios that although no strike appears imminent, ‘everyone knows the president keeps his finger over the button’.

Israeli leaders urge caution

The report adds that Israeli leaders have urged caution. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raised concerns during a call with Trump on Wednesday, asking him to delay any action to give Tel Aviv more time to prepare for potential Iranian retaliation.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday that pressure from Trump led Iran to postpone 800 planned executions. A day earlier, Trump said he had been told “on good authority” that “the killing in Iran is stopping” and that there were “no plan for executions.”

Shortly afterward, Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, told Fox News there were no plans for the “hanging” of protesters.

Still, tensions remain high. Iran temporarily closed its airspace Wednesday night amid fears of a US attack. “The Americans are reassessing now,” an Arab source with knowledge of the situation told Axios.

Leavitt reiterated that all options remain open, while another US official cautioned against assuming the White House is pivoting toward de-escalation. “The president is still examining options and watching the situation unfold,” the official told the publication.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yash Nitish Bajaj
Yash Bajaj is a Chief Content Producer with a strong foundation in US coverage, digital strategy, and audience-focused storytelling. As part of the US Desk at Hindustan Times, he covers a wide range of topics - from American politics to sports (NFL, NBA, derbies, MLB and more). Before joining Hindustan Times, Yash served as Deputy News Editor at Times Now, where he oversaw international coverage and led a team of six. In this role, he significantly expanded global traffic through strategic planning, SEO-driven content execution, and meticulous trend tracking across platforms. He is experienced in managing high-pressure breaking-news shifts, coordinating live coverage, and building newsroom systems that improve speed, accuracy, and reach. Prior to Times Now, Yash held a position at Opoyi, where he headed the Sports and US news team. He developed broad editorial strategies, guided reporters across multiple beats, and played a key role in recruiting and training new talent. His responsibilities also extended to social media management and experimenting with innovative content formats. A passionate NFL fan, Yash is a die-hard supporter of the Cincinnati Bengals and has followed Joe Burrow closely since his college days at LSU. Whether breaking down top players' latest performance, analyzing team performances, or tracking roster moves, he brings the same dedication and sharp storytelling to his sports coverage as he does to American politics and breaking news. When he’s not writing, Yash can often be found watching games or debating the latest NFL storylines with fellow fans. Yash holds a Bachelor of Mass Media (Journalism) from HR College, Mumbai University. His interests extend well beyond the newsroom: he is an enthusiastic explorer of AI tools, a movie buff with an ever-growing watchlist, and someone who enjoys unraveling conspiracy theories for fun.Read More

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