#EXCLUSIVE

A well-informed intelligence source told the Tehran Times that assessments suggest Trump, under pressure from Netanyahu, is seeking to ignite a new conflict in the region but lacks the capacity to sustain a prolonged campaign or escalate the situation further.

The source identified three key factors behind Trump’s apparent indecision over launching a new round of war:

Doubts over intelligence assessments: Following the failure of the aerial blockade and the plan to trigger the collapse of the Iranian rial, Trump has grown increasingly sceptical of his own military intelligence service’s assessments and the Israeli army’s readiness for another war.

Concerns over military endurance: After the weapons supply crisis and the US military’s inability to sustain its operational tempo throughout the 40-day war, Trump is increasingly concerned about whether the military can deliver a satisfactory outcome and manage the consequences of another conflict effectively.