Reports out of the White House suggest that President Trump is strongly leaning against attacking Iran, with officials saying he wants to keep up his campaign vows to reduce foreign entanglements.



With talk of a major fight with Iran over allegations of their involvement with a drone attack in Saudi Arabia, Trump is echoing the sentiments of a number of senators who also are concerned about the consequences of reckless US escalations in the region.



There are reasons to be concerned. The drones had some minor impact on oil prices, but a major regional war could greatly compound that and cause substantial economic problems the world over.



Least happy about this is Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who was immediately demanding attacks on Iran. He also lashed out at Trump for not doing so, saying the world would see it as a “sign of weakness.”



Trump fired back at Graham that not immediately attacking was actually a sign of strength “that some people just don’t understand.” In staking out his position against Graham, and by extension against war, Trump seems unlikely to attack Iran.



Trump has expressed support for Saudi Arabia, but has suggested he prefers the Saudis take responsibility for any reaction to the attack. Since the Saudis are third in the world in military spending, they would seemingly be able to do that.





Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz