Open conflict with Iran, or the collapse of the Iranian state, doesn't help with that. So that's why he didn't decide to blow the top off the current unrest with U.S. military action.

The Abrams interview is on CNN's site. In the last 45 seconds or so, Abrams trots out his preferred action vs negotiations: further weakening Iran by using naval and air forces to attack their oil exports.

cnn.com - Amanpour iran protests elliott abrams

Plus, again, we find ourselves with our pants down and no aircraft carrier in the region, at least for the next several days. Since air power projected from aircraft carriers is one of the keystones of our military power, that in and of itself might be enough of a reason not to do anything until we can move one into position.

As noted before, the attack on Iran last summer, was mounted with B-2s, that flew non-stop, from the US. What a B-2 can't do is hijack tankers. You need surface ships that can operate helos, like the Lincoln's battle group. And, keeping the repressive Iranian regime in place, keeps the sanctions in place, which restrict oil exports, and provides the Pirate King, with an excuse to hijack tankers.

All this leads me to the suspicion that Abrams called Trump, and told him he would make more money, faster, by standing down his plans to attack mainland Iran. So, all the Iranian demonstrators he encouraged, with rhetoric that echoed his January 6 speech, were nothing but expendable meat. He cares not one whit about the hundreds, or thousands, that died, by following his encouragement.

Steve