US President Donald Trump has instructed his military not to launch a new strike against Iran. According to Axios, which based its report on two unnamed officials, the decision is aimed at allowing additional time for diplomacy after roughly two weeks of intense military operations.
US forces had struck Iranian targets every day over the past 13 days. The sources said Trump believes the current military pressure has reached its limit and that there is no need to sustain it at this level unless a broader campaign is launched. However, it was stressed that the Pentagon maintains plans for larger operations and that new strikes could be carried out at very short notice if needed.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US still has military options on the table and that operations could continue, reaching a scale that would "destroy everything Iran has." At the same time, Trump stated that the "smarter strategy" is to strike a deal, saying: "We are talking with the Iranians now. I think they are getting more serious every day. We are ready for all possibilities, but we are in negotiations."
Meanwhile, it was notable that the report of the strikes being halted came hours after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran for talks on an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. According to Axios, the talks, which have made positive progress, could result in an accord by the weekend. Any agreement would require Trump's approval to take effect.
