多名消息人士以及一名美国官员向美国广播公司透露，在副总统等多名高级顾问提出顾虑后，唐纳德・特朗普总统再度暂缓对伊朗实施大规模军事升级的威胁，转而推进外交磋商，谋求打通霍尔木兹海峡航运通道。
消息称，白宫周五召开会议，高层官员与顾问研讨各类行动方案、潜在后果与风险，会后特朗普作出暂缓进一步激化冲突的决定。
这已经不是第一次：特朗普先是扬言发动打击、实施军事行动，随后又以有望开展谈判、外交取得进展为由选择收手。
一个多月前，美伊双方签署谅解备忘录，承诺在 60 天内争取达成最终协议。但特朗普本月早些时候宣称这份备忘录已经 “失效”，此后两国再度相互发动袭击。
两名消息人士向美国广播公司证实，参谋长联席会议主席丹・凯恩上将与副总统 J.D. 万斯均在会上对扩大对伊战事表达担忧。
消息介绍，凯恩向总统表明，美军具备实施特朗普考虑中各类军事方案的能力，但同时罗列潜在负面后果，包括弹药储备将进一步消耗。
消息表示，弹药库存问题只是总统及其国家安全团队考量的众多因素之一。
主导外交谈判工作的万斯，则持续主张寻求外交解决方案。
特朗普周一接受阿克西奥斯新闻网采访时称：“所有负责伊朗事务的幕僚都劝我：‘不要开火。’”
特朗普向美国广播公司发布声明表示：“我们拥有远超全球任何国家的弹药，储备量远高于自身所需。”
总统同时指责拜登政府任内消耗、缩减了弹药库存。
“当下，美国国防企业弹药产量创下历史新高，工厂与设备扩建规模也达到空前水平。产能扩充完成后，我们将增加弹药供应，输送给欧洲及其他地区的盟友。”
凯恩的发言人发表声明：“我们不会公开评论参谋长向总统提供的涉密军事建议。”
一名美国官员向美国广播公司透露，虽然双方袭击持续升级，但技术层面的外交磋商一直在持续推进。谈判显现出曙光，有望在霍尔木兹海峡等核心议题上取得突破。
这名官员比喻：“鸭子一直在水面下不停划水(暗流持续涌动，谈判暗中推进)。”
伊朗副外长卡齐姆・加里巴巴迪表态称，伊朗代表团并没有乞求或要求继续谈判。
白宫通讯主任史蒂文・昌发表声明：“特朗普总统一贯表态倾向外交途径解决争端。但倘若伊朗继续在霍尔木兹海峡针对航运、或是袭击美国盟友，总统仍然保留所有应对选项。”
Why Trump held off on latest Iran escalation threat: Sources
President Donald Trumpagainput off his threats of a major military escalation with Iranin favor of diplomatic efforts to open the Strait of Hormuz after senior advisers, including the vice president, voiced concerns, multiple sources and a U.S. official told ABC News.
The decision to hold off on further escalation came after a meeting at the White House on Friday, where top officials and advisers discussed a range of options, implications and concerns, according to the sources.
This is the latest instance of Trump threatening destruction or military action and stepping back, citing negotiations or diplomatic progress.
More than a month ago, the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding, vowing to work over 60 days towards a final agreement, but Trump said earlier this month the MOU is "over" and the countries began striking each other again.
As part of the discussion, both Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Vice President JD Vance voiced concerns about escalating the war in Iran, two sources told ABC News.
Caine told the president that the U.S. military was capable of carrying out the options he was considering but laid out possible negative implications, including the further depletion of munitions stockpiles, sources said.
Sources described the munitions as one of many factors taken into consideration by the president and his national security team.
Vance, who has taken the lead on diplomatic talks, continued to advocate for a diplomatic solution, sources said.
In an interview with Axios on Monday, the president said, "All of the people that deal with Iran asked me: 'Don't fire.'"
In a statement to ABC News, Trump said: "We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need."
The president went on to accuse the Biden administration of diminishing the stockpile.
"Our defense companies are, at this moment, making more munitions than they have ever made before, in addition to expanding their plants and equipment at record levels. And as we build up, we will start issuing more to our allies in Europe and elsewhere," the president added.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Caine said, “We do not comment on the confidential military advice the Chairman provides the President."
A U.S. official told ABC News that despite an escalation in attacks, there has been a "drumbeat" of diplomatic talks at the technical level that has shown the possibility of progress on key issues including the Strait of Hormuz.
"The duck has been paddling below the surface," the official said.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Iranian delegation has made no pleas or requests to continue negotiations.
White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement, "President Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies."
