On Jan. 8, U.S. President Donald Trump signaled his desire for a de-escalation of immediate tensions with Iran in his first public remarks since Iran launched retaliatory strikes on two bases hosting U.S. forces in Iraq . Trump, who confirmed that no Americans or Iraqis were killed in the attack and that Iran was moving to de-escalate tensions, instead focused on the need to build a stronger international coalition to stop Iranian-backed terrorism and nuclear activities. Instead of an immediate military response, Trump announced that the United States would expand its sanctions regime on Iran. At this point, however, there is little Washington can do to sanction Iran more harshly such that it agrees to come to the negotiating table.