# Axios

Allies’ Warnings and Thin Forces Stayed Trump’s Hand on Strikes Against Iran

U.S. President Trump declined to order strikes on Iran after senior officials, Israel and Saudi Arabia warned of inadequate regional defenses and uncertain operational effects. Shortfalls in U.S. force posture, allied caution and advisers’ doubts combined to persuade the White House to hold back, underscoring limits on Washington’s power projection in the Middle East.