President Donald Trump has a pattern of threatening severe military action against Iran, including striking civilian infrastructure, and then walking back those threats. By ABC News' count, Trump has made such threats at least seven times over the course of a five-month conflict, often pausing or canceling strikes at the request of Iran and other Middle Eastern countries.
In the most recent instance, on Saturday night, Trump announced on social media that at the request of Iran and other regional nations, he had decided not to carry out what White House officials described as a devastating strike targeting Iran's energy infrastructure. He warned, however, that the U.S. remained "locked and loaded" and prepared for "Military Terror... not seen since [World War II]."
Pattern of Threats and Delays
The pattern of threats began on March 21, less than a month into the conflict, when Trump declared he would "hit and obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz was not fully opened. Two days later, he announced that strikes were postponed for five days, citing "in depth, detailed, and constructive conversations."
On March 26, after the initial five-day period elapsed, Trump extended the pause on planned strikes for another 10 days, stating it was "per Iranian Government request."
Shifting Ceasefires and Negotiations
By the morning of April 7, Trump posted that "a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again," but that strikes could be averted if "less radical minds prevail" in Iran. Later that evening, he called off the strikes, announcing an agreement for a two-week ceasefire to allow a peace agreement to be finalized.
When no deal was reached after two weeks, Trump announced an indefinite ceasefire on April 21, stating that at the request of Pakistani leaders, the U.S. would hold off on attacks until Iran's representatives could present a unified proposal. He directed the military to maintain the blockade and remain ready.
Escalating Rhetoric and Subsequent Holds
Nearly a month later, on May 17, Trump intensified negotiations by stating, "the Clock is Ticking" and threatening that "nothing left of them" if Iran did not "get moving, FAST." The next day, he informed reporters of plans for a major attack but decided to "put it off for a little while" due to "very big discussions with Iran." He later posted that he had been asked by Iran and Gulf leaders to hold off on the planned attack, but reiterated that he was "prepared to go forward with a full, large-scale assault of Iran, on a moment's notice, in the event that an acceptable Deal is not reached."
Following the breakdown of a memorandum of understanding and a ceasefire signed on June 17, the Trump administration resumed targeted attacks on Iranian military targets for 13 days starting July 11. On July 23, Trump told Axios he was "considering a massive attack" but by July 27, after reportedly being advised by senior leadership to hold off, he told reporters that negotiations were underway.
Hostilities resurfaced after a missile attack on U.S. forces in Jordan on July 29, leading to U.S. strikes on Iranian military targets on July 30. Reports then emerged of the administration considering a large-scale attack on Iran's energy infrastructure. However, on the evening of August 1, Trump announced he would "hold off" at the request of Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, while still warning of the U.S.'s readiness for massive military action. Iran subsequently denied that any talks with the U.S. were occurring.
On Monday, Trump characterized the situation as Iran's "last chance before decapitation."