Trump more likely to continue game of chicken with Iran than to attack - analysis

All of the reports leaked about US officials briefing Trump on his military options against Iran present the plans as 'new' options. They have, in fact, been on the table since early March.

Yobah Jeremy Bob / JERUSALEM POST  

Despite leaked reports about top US military officials briefing President Donald Trump on new escalatory and potentially imminent military options against Iran, the current game of chicken will continue for the near future, Israeli and American sources have indicated to The Jerusalem Post.

While the leaks present Trump as being briefed on potential “new” options for attacking Iran so that it will make further concessions, nuclear or otherwise, all of these plans have been on the table since early March and are not new, according to people familiar with the matter.

Despite repeated opportunities to opt for any of the multiple options, Trump has preferred avoiding the additional risks they entail, the sources indicated.

Trump opted for a unilateral ceasefire on April 7, even though he received no assurances of concessions by Iran.

The calculus was relatively simple: Trump was hemorrhaging political support once the war went past its early days of euphoria. Read more here.