He’s said what his thinking is. He likes to speak tough and carry a big stick, but never telegraph his moves. It leaves room for flexibility and doesn’t reveal all your cards.

He could direct an attack on Iran, but what would that accomplish? It wouldn’t surprise Iran, they already know the USA can attack them. It wouldn’t accomplish anything. Instead, he rather keeps them on edge, that could accomplish something. Unless they figure out something where an attack could actually accomplish something, there’d be no reason to attack.

It’s common sense, something no other President’s had for a very long time. Take the destruction of Syria’s airforce two years ago as an example. Accomplished a lot at virtually no cost. Was a sound move.