US Halts Iran Strikes After 13 Nights of Bombing; Tehran Offers Ceasefire

The United States has paused its military strikes against Iran after nearly two weeks of continuous air assaults. This decision comes as Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to cease their retaliatory attacks, contingent upon the US refraining from further military action. A senior Iranian official stated that Tehran’s stance remains one of “attack for attack,” but confirmed that this message has been communicated to Washington, potentially opening avenues for renewed diplomatic discussions despite prevailing skepticism.

The US decision to halt its bombing campaign follows advice from President Donald Trump’s advisers, who expressed concerns about the depletion of military resources and the diminishing number of viable targets.

US Suspends Its Assault on Iran

After 13 consecutive nights of escalating airstrikes, the Pentagon announced the suspension of operations late on Friday. No US attacks were reported over the weekend. Iran, which had been responding to US strikes with its own attacks on neighboring countries hosting US military bases, has also refrained from further action for the past two days.

The Iranian official, who requested anonymity, reiterated that Tehran’s position remains “attack for attack.” If US strikes cease, Iran will likewise halt its operations. This message has already been relayed to the United States.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, indicated that Trump’s decision to pause military actions was aimed at providing more space for diplomatic efforts. He noted that the administration is allowing for dialogue to take precedence, although he did not elaborate further.

US military officials have warned that the recent bombings, intended to deter Iranian threats to shipping in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, have largely exhausted the pre-selected targets. One official, speaking anonymously, confirmed that the military is running low on options.

Trump Warned by US General

While the option to resume major combat operations remains on the table, General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has privately cautioned Trump about the risks involved. He highlighted concerns regarding the negative impact on munitions stocks, particularly interceptors used by US air defenses in the Middle East.

Caine’s office and US Central Command have declined to comment on the specifics of their private advisories to the President. Historically, military officials have refrained from discussing their confidential counsel to a sitting president, even in congressional testimony.

On NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Waltz asserted that the US military possesses all necessary resources but acknowledged that Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth inherited a depleted situation when he took office.

The Iranian source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed skepticism regarding the US pause in strikes, suggesting that it may not signify a substantial shift in Washington’s negotiating stance. The source remarked that there is more skepticism than optimism about the halt in attacks, viewing it as a tactical maneuver rather than a genuine effort for peace. Iran has accumulated significant experience with what it perceives as US deception.

Stuck in Limbo

For the past two weeks, US forces have conducted nightly strikes against Iran, which Washington claims were retaliatory measures for Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Iranian forces have targeted water desalination plants in nearby Gulf Arab states.

Iran maintains that it aims to control the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passageway through which a significant portion of global oil flows. The renewed US military campaign effectively undermined last month’s interim agreement aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.

Trump’s decision to pause the strikes followed a meeting where Caine and other senior military and political advisers raised concerns about the effectiveness of the bombing campaign. Reports indicated that Vice President JD Vance expressed reservations, while Admiral Brad Cooper, the overall commander of US forces in the Middle East, advised halting the bombing campaign due to its diminishing returns.

Residents of Iran remain apprehensive about the situation. Nader, a 49-year-old import-export business owner in Tehran, voiced doubts about the longevity of the pause in strikes. He described the current state of affairs as one where “everyone in the country is stuck in limbo,” criticizing Trump for failing to decisively end the conflict or withdraw from the region.

For further information, refer to the original reporting source: timesofdubai.ae.

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Published on 2026-07-27 19:04:00 • By the Editorial Desk