The administration of President Donald Trump has not yet taken a decision about launching a military attack against Iran, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said, Anadolu reports.
“I would say that the decision still needs to be made,” Huckabee told Israeli Channel 12 in an interview aired Saturday.
The US diplomat said Trump continues to reach a peaceful solution with Tehran.
“President Trump is always hopeful for the best outcome. He is, in fact, let’s never forget, ‘the art of the deal.’ And if he can get that, then that’s ideal,” he said.
“But if he can’t, he’s not afraid to do what he proved he would do last summer when he instigated Midnight Hammer.”
Last June, Israel, with US backing, launched a 12-day war against Iran, prompting retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Tehran before Washington announced a ceasefire.
“This is a president who has made many promises; you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that he hasn’t kept,” Huckabee said. “He doesn’t make empty threats.”
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“What I would say to (the people of Iran) is, note carefully what the president says, take him at his word. He will keep his promise.”
Asked about reports that the US was about to strike Iran on Jan. 14, and why the attack was ultimately called off, Huckabee said: “You know, but we could have been close. But maybe it was a thoughtful decision to weigh carefully the outcome.”
Huckabee said he does not know the timeline for a potential US attack against Iran, nor whether “Iran will decide to initiate something” against Israel.
“At the moment, I’m not hearing him refer to a deadline,” Huckabee said, adding that Israelis should go on with their lives, “and if the sirens go off, respond.”
On Wednesday, Trump said in a social media post that a massive “armada” was heading toward Iran, while urging Tehran to enter negotiations immediately.
The statement fueled speculation about a possible US military strike, prompting strong reactions from Iranian officials as well as hectic diplomatic activity in the region.
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