President Trump ordered the Pentagon to halt new strikes on Iran after Gulf leaders warned that another major attack could trigger retaliation against their oil infrastructure, and as the US military has already expended nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and roughly half of its Patriot missiles, CNN reports. The strikes remain on the table, according to the report.
According to a CNN report published late Tuesday, President Trump has ordered the Pentagon to halt new strikes on Iran after Gulf allies warned that another major attack could trigger retaliation against their oil and energy infrastructure. The report states that the U.S. military has expended nearly 80% of its THAAD interceptors and roughly half of its Patriot missiles, leaving regional air defenses dangerously low. Trump told the Pentagon to stand down for now, but the strikes remain on the table, the report adds.
The Zioneer has previously covered multiple episodes of the Trump administration's shifting approach to Iran. On July 25, The Zioneer reported that Trump ordered the military to cease new strikes, ending a streak of nearly two weeks of daily aerial operations. An earlier report from June 11 detailed how the Emir of Qatar, Pakistan's Army Chief, and the UAE President convinced Trump to call off a strike plan. A July 26 article noted that Trump froze plans for a broad airstrike after a warning from General Dan Kane about erosion of CENTCOM's air defense capabilities.
The current report highlights the role of Gulf allies' concerns and the depletion of U.S. interceptor stocks as key factors in the decision. It remains unclear whether the halt will lead to a diplomatic breakthrough or a resumed campaign.
2 developments
- StrongTrump announces US strikes on Iranian missile depots and radar sites
- DevelopingTrump says US military on alert, urges Iran to return to negotiations after missile barrage
- DevelopingTrump cancels tonight's strikes on Iran, Israeli analysts warn of risk
- DevelopingTrump says he postponed planned Iran strikes at mediators' request
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