President Donald Trump has put off a major escalation with Iran in favor of an effort to revive diplomacy to open the Strait of Hormuz, two sources told ABC News.
The sources said the president was prepared to carry out a series of attacks as he headed into a meeting with top advisers and officials on Friday, having publicly warned that a massive attack could be on the horizon.
But Trump then decided to hold off on an escalation, according to sources, who also stressed that Trump retained the option to change his mind and carry out more strikes.
Sources said top officials discussed the impact a major escalation could have on the Pentagon's depleting stockpiles of air defense interceptors, including Patriot anti-missile interceptors.
Trump has denied any munitions shortages, telling The Wall Street Journal, "We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need."
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on Sunday that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth "inherited a depleted situation," but also insisted "the U.S. has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be."
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."
"Combined with successful sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy and 13 straight days of strikes against military targets in response to their repeated aggression, it would be wise for Iran to work towards a negotiated deal. Otherwise, they know what will happen," Cheung added.
The New York Times first reported the president's decision to delay military escalation.
-ABC News' Rachel Scott
