Trump’s tipping point: Destroy Iran’s infrastructure or give talks a chance

(Barak Ravid, Marc Caputo – Axios) President Trump faces a momentous decision on a tight timeline: carry out his threat to obliterate Iran’s infrastructure beginning at 8pm ET, or push his own deadline again to give negotiations a chance. Trump has threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran by midnight, among other options that would have devastating consequences for ordinary Iranians and spark dangerous retaliation across the region. Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Turkey are working to avert that outcome by brokering a deal — or at least putting time back on the clock. “If the president sees a deal is coming together, he’ll probably hold off. But only he and he alone makes that decision,” a senior administration official told Axios. A defense official said they were “skeptical” there would be any extension this time around. This account is based on interviews with six officials and sources with direct knowledge of the ongoing diplomacy or Trump’s thinking. – Trump Iran deadline: Blow up bridges or give talks a chance