Iranian officials told Reuters on Friday that President Trump had sent Tehran a message via Oman warning about an imminent strike, which he reportedly called off before any missiles were fired. “In his message, Trump said he was against any war with Iran and wanted to talk to Tehran about various issues," one official said. "He gave a short period of time to get our response, but Iran's immediate response was that it is up to Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Ali) Khamenei to decide about this issue."
"We made it clear that the leader is against any talks, but the message will be conveyed to him to make a decision," a second official told Reuters. "However, we told the Omani official that any attack against Iran will have regional and international consequences."
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"The danger now is that Iran receives mixed messages that convey uncertainty and lack of resolve," leading "some in Tehran to push back at the Americans even harder," Marcus adds. "There appears to be no easy diplomatic 'off-ramp' in this crisis. U.S. economic sanctions are hitting home. Tehran is under pressure. Escalation remains an ever-present danger."
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