Advisers and allies push competing strategies on war, diplomacy and economic pressure

Last updated: November 03, 2026 | 13:48

Trump with Vance, Rubio and Hegseth at the White House. The president faces competing advice on how to deal with Iran. AFP

Dubai: Why does US President Donald Trump keep threatening Iran with devastating military strikes one moment and suggesting a peace deal could be within reach the next?

The answer may lie partly in a three-way divide among his senior advisers and allies, who are pushing sharply different strategies for ending the eight-month-old Middle East conflict.

While one group wants a negotiated settlement, another favours renewed military action against Tehran.…