The idea of war with Iran was on the table, but not for long.  It was just a few days ago that a U. S. president hinted at a possible military strike on Iran's nuclear sites.  The reason given was to allow time for talks, but the window was short.  Just two days after the announcement, the president changed his mind and ordered the strikes.

The president had been clear about his intentions.  He wanted to give Iran a chance to negotiate.  He even said he would decide on a military strike within two weeks.  This was his way of giving Iran a chance to "come to their senses. "  It was a bold move, but it didn't last long.  The president dismissed talks between European diplomats and Iran's foreign minister.  He said Europe couldn't help and that Iran wanted to talk to the U. S. directly.

The president's announcement frustrated some allies.  Israel, for example, had been pushing for U. S. military action for months.  But the president had other ideas.  He showed distrust in his own intelligence community.  He even disagreed with his own director of national intelligence.  He said she was wrong about Iran's nuclear capabilities.  This was a surprising move, given that the director had testified to Congress just a few months earlier.

The president's decision to strike Iran came as a surprise to many.  He had given Iran a two-week window to negotiate, but he struck just two days later.  It was a clear message to Iran and the world.  The president was serious about his intentions.  He was ready, willing, and able to take action.  He even said that future attacks would be greater and easier if Iran didn't make peace.

The president's actions raised questions about his strategy.  Was he really giving Iran a chance to negotiate?  Or was he just buying time to prepare for a strike?  Only time will tell.  But one thing is clear: the president's actions have changed the game in the Middle East.  The world is watching to see what happens next.

Two Weeks to Talk or Strike: Trump's Iran Gambit

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