The Art of Delay: When Rhetoric Meets Realpolitik in Tehran President Donald Trump's announcement that he is calling off a plan to attack Iran on Tuesday, at the behest of regional leaders Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has sparked a mixture of relief and skepticism.
The news has dominated headlines in recent days. The postponement appears to be a rare instance of restraint from the mercurial president.
However, closer examination reveals that this move is as much a product of pragmatism as it is a display of flexibility.