Trump Says Decision on Whether to Resume War with Iran Due by the 24th, Calling the Odds of War or a Deal Exactly 50-50

[Financial News]  

Trump said a decision on whether the United States will resume war with Iran is likely to be made by the 24th (local time). He added that the chances of restarting the war or reaching a deal are evenly split.
In an interview with Axios on the 23rd, Trump said he would discuss Iran's latest proposal with mediators later in the day. He said the odds of striking a "good" deal or "blowing them to kingdom come" were "a sure 50-50."
Axios, citing two sources, reported that Trump would hold a phone call with Gulf leaders later that day to discuss the situation in Iran.
Leaders from Pakistan, which has been actively mediating an end to the war, as well as Egypt and the Republic of Türkiye, are expected to take part in the call.
A senior Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his aides are also in contact with the White House about the proposal.
Trump also told Axios that he would meet later in the day with special envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to discuss Iran's latest proposal. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to attend.
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) told Axios that opinions among Gulf leaders are divided.
According to Graham, some leaders are urging Trump to weaken the regime through airstrikes on Iran and then secure a better deal.
He said other leaders in the region, along with some of the president's top aides, are instead pushing for a deal based on the current proposal.
Graham said the argument from the pro-negotiation camp is that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be kept safe from Iranian influence and that Iran has the ability to destroy a large portion of Persian Gulf oil facilities if attacked, so the war should not be resumed.
Graham strongly rejected that argument.
"I have serious doubts about the claim that Iran cannot be prevented from terrorizing the Strait of Hormuz and that, because of this, we cannot protect our core interests in the region after a major strike on Iran," he said. Graham added, "If they were truly wiped out, they should not be able to do either." His remarks signaled support for the hard-line view that the best course is to devastate Iran and remove the threat to the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf oil facilities.
He concluded by saying, "Time will tell," and added, "I just hope there is a good outcome."
Meanwhile, Pakistan Army Field Command Chief Asim Munir, who has been mediating talks between the United States and Iran, left Tehran on the 23rd after meeting senior Iranian officials and urging them to reach a deal.
Pakistan said there was no final agreement yet, but that there had been "encouraging progress toward a final deal."
The new proposal Trump is set to review on the 23rd emerged from negotiations between Iran and Pakistan.

[email protected] Song Kyung-jae Reporter