- Trump repeatedly threatens massive strikes on Iran — then often pulls back at the last minute, framing it as giving diplomacy more time.
- Gulf allies, notably Saudi Arabia and its crown prince, pressured the U.S. to avoid escalation and helped steer Trump away from strikes.
- The war is unpopular at home and political and munitions constraints (plus looming midterms) are limiting how far the U.S. will go.
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