NEW YORK – US President Donald Trump has ordered his administration toavoid a military confrontation with Iran, the New York Times reportedFriday.
The Times saidlinkthatTrump, during a Wednesday morning meeting in the White House SituationRoom, sent a message to his hawkish aides that he does not want the USpressure campaign against Iran to explode into open conflict.
“Trump was firm in saying he did not want a military clash with theIranians,” the paper said, citing five senior officials who described theadministration’s internal debate over Iran.
The account was also echoed by Reuters news agency which said Trump hadcommunicated to his national security team and other aides to avoid anarmed conflict.
“He doesn’t want to go to war. It’s not who he is,” said one officialspeaking on condition of anonymity.
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The report cited anonymous officials informed on the matter as saying thatTrump had privately expressed concern that some of his advisers, suchNational Security advisor John Bolton, were pushing for war.
Trump’s order comes a week after Bolton announced that the US was sendingan aircraft carrier strike group and a bomber task force to the Middle Eastto counter a ‘threat’ from Tehran.
Hawks in Trump’s team, according to reports, have reportedly gone as far asdrawing up plans for a possible military strike that could involve sending120,000 soldiers to the Middle East.
