WASHINGTON – The United States has paused military operations against Iran after nearly two weeks of consecutive airstrikes, with reports suggesting concerns over dwindling supplies of defensive weapons and growing risks of a wider regional conflict may be influencing Washington’s decision.
Iran went through another night without US airstrikes between Saturday and Sunday, raising hopes that diplomatic efforts could resume after months of escalating hostilities. However, US media reports indicated that the pause may also be linked to pressure on American military resources, including Patriot missile interceptors and other defensive systems.
The conflict, which began around tensions involving the strategic Strait of Hormuz, has expanded beyond the vital energy route, involving attacks on US military bases, commercial shipping and American allies in the Gulf region.
According to CNN, US operations against Iran were “on hold”, citing an unnamed Pentagon official, despite President Donald Trump’s warning on Friday that Tehran could face strikes at a “much higher level”.
The New York Times reported that plans to intensify the campaign had been delayed partly due to concerns over shrinking weapons supplies, citing two individuals familiar with the matter. The newspaper also noted that Trump faces the challenge of avoiding a broader Middle East war, maintaining relations with vulnerable Gulf partners and limiting further damage to the global economy.
CNN reported that Vice President JD Vance and top US military officer General Dan Caine had raised concerns about escalation during a White House meeting on Friday. According to the report, General Caine told Trump that the military could successfully execute available options but warned about the possible consequences of further expansion of the conflict.
Trump said on Friday that he had not yet decided whether to resume a full-scale military campaign against Iran, while claiming that Tehran was becoming increasingly serious about negotiations.
“We’re talking to them right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious,” Trump told reporters.
The US president said Iran faced a choice between reaching an agreement and facing strikes at a significantly greater intensity.
The conflict, which Trump previously predicted would last only four to five weeks, is now approaching its fifth month and has begun affecting his political standing ahead of the US midterm elections scheduled for November.
According to Axios, the Pentagon had presented Trump with options for another night of strikes but he chose not to approve the operation in favour of pursuing diplomatic engagement.
Meanwhile, the conflict has expanded into another regional front as Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu.
The attacks came a day after Saudi forces carried out strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The Greek Air Force said a surface-to-air defence system operated by Greek personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles and a drone over Yanbu.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also claimed that they had prevented four ships from passing through the Strait of Hormuz within a 24-hour period, keeping the strategic waterway at the centre of tensions between Tehran and Washington.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes, remains the key flashpoint in the conflict, with disruptions threatening global energy markets.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi rejected claims that Tehran was responsible for escalating tensions and said Iran was willing to help facilitate talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, stressing that “there is no military solution” to the crisis.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.
