US Pauses New Strikes on Iran as Diplomatic Talks Continue
US President Donald Trump has ordered the military to stop launching new strikes on Iran, putting nearly two weeks of military action on hold as diplomatic efforts continue, according to a report by Axios.
The report said Trump decided not to approve a new round of strikes planned for Friday after authorizing daily military operations for the past 13 days.
It is still unclear whether this pause is temporary or part of a bigger change in US policy.
According to sources, Trump believes the military campaign has achieved its main goals without pulling the United States into a larger conflict. He now wants to give diplomacy a better chance to succeed.
Although the Pentagon is still preparing for possible military action if talks fail, Trump has not approved any expansion of the current operations.
Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US is ready to act if needed but prefers a peaceful solution.
“We’re talking to the Iranians right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by. We’re locked and loaded and ready to go, but we’re talking to them,” he said.
Later, during the White House Correspondents Association dinner, Trump said he was not sure Iran was ready to make a deal but remained willing to consider any proposals.
The decision to pause the strikes came shortly after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran for talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
According to regional sources, the discussions have shown positive progress. Oman and Iran could reach a preliminary agreement over the weekend, after which Trump is expected to decide whether the US will support the proposed deal.
