Trump Holds Off All-Out War Option On Iran Amid Ongoing Talks, Chooses Diplomacy For Now

Published 1 July 2026 · india

Trump Holds Off All-Out War Option On Iran Amid Ongoing Talks, Chooses Diplomacy For Now Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 17:53 IST mp

Trump Holds Off All-Out War Option On Iran Amid Ongoing Talks, Chooses Diplomacy For Now Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 17:53 IST mp has told aides he believes renewed large-scale strikes could undermine diplomacy and reduce the chances of reaching a lasting agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. Rapid Read News18 US President Donald Trump has held off the option of escalating to full-scale military action against Iran, opting instead to continue diplomatic negotiations for now as talks with Tehran remain ongoing. According to The Wall Street Journal report, Trump has in recent days spoken with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine about expanding military options, including a possible escalation of strikes, while keeping the diplomatic track open as talks with Tehran continue.

The discussions reportedly centred on whether Washington should abandon negotiations and resume broader attacks on Iran, a move some officials have described as “finishing the job". However, Trump has told aides he believes renewed large-scale strikes could undermine diplomacy and reduce the chances of reaching a lasting agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. As per the report, the president has also indicated he would be willing to allow negotiations to extend beyond an August 18 deadline, giving diplomatic efforts more time to yield results. At the same time, he is said to be comfortable with limited, one-off strikes in response to Iranian violations of a ceasefire framework agreed last month. This report comes as Tehran and Washington began indirect talks with mediators in Doha on Wednesday in a push to advance negotiations and quell tensions following exchanges of fire between the two sides.

Both had said they would send officials to discuss their memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the Middle East war, but Iran insisted direct negotiations will not take place. The discussions, being held at a lower level and focused on the details of the MOU, will “build on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit", the diplomat told news agency AFP. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers,...