Trump pauses Iran strikes over missile shortages

Melanie SwanSun, July 26, 2026 at 9:58 AM UTC

4K

Donald Trump ordered no more strikes on Iran on Friday or Saturday night - Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Donald Trump has paused plans to escalate the war on Iran after being warned that the US is running low on missiles.

For the first time in nearly two weeks, the US president called off strikes on the Islamic Republic at the weekend and has set aside plans to return to major combat operations.

The decision also allows time and space for negotiations with Iran.

Concerns were raised during a White House meeting on Friday night, according to reports.

JD Vance, the vice-president, and Gen Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were among those who spoke out, the New York Times (NYT) reported.

Officials familiar with the deliberations told US media that concerns over dwindling supplies of air-defence munitions, particularly interceptor missiles needed to defend American bases and regional partners against Iranian ballistic missiles and drones, played a central role in the decision.

JD Vance, the vice-president, was among those who raised concerns about the combat operations in a meeting on Friday - Aaron Schwartz/Shutterstock

Three American soldiers were killed in Jordan last Friday when a ballistic missile slipped through American air defences fending off a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones.

Another soldier was killed in Iraq while trying to make safe a downed Iranian drone.

After 13 straight nights of US attacks on Iran, Mr Trump ordered no more strikes on Friday or Saturday night.

A department of defence source told CNN that operations were “on a hold”.

Mike Waltz, the US ambassador to the UN, said on Sunday that Mr Trump’s pause on attacks was to create room for diplomacy between Washington and Tehran.

“He’s giving talks some space, he’s giving it a little bit of room,” Mr Waltz told Fox News.

He did not provide further detail on the nature of the talks nor whether they would take place during the current lull in fighting.

Advertisement

The pause came as Mr Trump also signalled he believes Tehran may now be prepared to negotiate, though the Islamic republic continues to dig its heels in with demands to retain control of the critical Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday, the Iranian foreign ministry said that technical and political consultations between the two sides were ongoing via Omani intermediaries. Talks over the strait were, Iran said, productive.

However, a senior Iranian source told Reuters that Tehran remained sceptical of US intentions and that “Iran’s position remains ‘attack for attack’: if the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations”.

“That message has already been conveyed to the United States,” they added. “There is more scepticism than optimism about the halt in attacks. The prevailing view is that the pause is tactical rather than genuine.”

Only on Thursday, Mr Trump said that he was considering “a massive attack” on Iran. He described it as “one bigger than ever before. I am close to making a decision. We are all set for it”.

The Pentagon rushed more forces, weaponry and supplies to the Middle East in recent days to prepare for any escalation.

But the meeting on Friday curbed the president’s efforts.

Since the campaign began, the US has damaged or destroyed an increasing number of railway bridges that civilians use, but that also enable Iranian commanders to send supplies to the southern coastal region near the strait.

A precision strike by US forces against Iranian military capabilities

Officials told the NYT that increased attacks on those kinds of targets, as well as energy facilities and Iran’s nuclear sites, including Pickaxe Mountain, were still under consideration.

US officials stress that military options remain on the table should negotiations fail or Iran were to launch further attacks.

However, it represents the clearest indication yet that the White House is searching for an off-ramp after five months of conflict.

There is also growing unease within Mr Trump’s inner circle about the prospect of being drawn into a prolonged regional conflict which has triggered backlash domestically.

CNN reported that close advisers had voiced concerns about both the strategic and political costs of expanding the war, particularly given the strain on US military resources, the loss of lives and uncertainty over whether further strikes would fundamentally alter Iran’s behaviour.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Breaking”