President Donald Trump's administration is pushing for tough sanctions against Iran in hopes that street protests will rattle the nation's government but some in his national security circle fear Iranian leaders will agree to meet him to ease the sanctions and to create a new deal, a new report indicates.
Trump does not want war with Iran, reports The Daily Beast, and advisers are saying that if Iran pulls a "Kim Jong Un" and its leaders agree to meet with him and offer minor concessions, the president may take the bait.
This could happen before his sanctions take much effect, notes writer Kimberly Dozier.
According to a former diplomat, when former Ambassador John Bolton arrived at the White House as Trump's new National Security Adviser, the president welcomed him with the message that he would not "let you start a war with Iran," making a move to slow Bolton's usually hawkish tendencies.
Other officials said the White House does not want an armed confrontation, but to twist Teddy Roosevelt's statement to "speak softly and carry a big stick," to be "shout loudly, and hope you never have to come to blows."
The administration also is complaining that European countries are not respecting sanctions, but still, the United States continues to work with allies. The countries' diplomats say they fear the play will backfire, allowing Iran to blame an outside entity for the country's issues.
Yet another fear is that Iran could stage a terrorist attack against the West, forcing the United States to react, the report notes.