Trump Still Ordering Strikes on Iran Amid Military Campaign Pause

Washington (ANTARA) - US President Donald Trump can still issue orders to conduct strikes against Iran, with the situation in the region remaining volatile amid a pause in the bombing campaign.

RIA Novosti on Monday, citing The Wall Street Journal which quoted US officials, reported that Trump postponed plans to sharply escalate the military campaign against Iran due to concerns that escalation could dangerously deplete already dwindling air defence missile stockpiles.

Trump administration officials said that Gulf states, including Oman and Qatar, are working to revive the diplomatic process, as reported by The Wall Street Journal on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Axios reported on Saturday that the US military is still preparing contingency plans to resume large-scale military action against Iran, even though President Donald Trump has not yet issued the order.

According to the report, Trump ordered a halt to further strikes on Friday, ending a series of consecutive attacks lasting 13 days.

On the night of 18 June, Tehran and Washington signed a memorandum of understanding to end the conflict that began on 28 February. However, since 8 July, US forces have carried out several series of strikes against Iran.

US Central Command stated that the strikes were a response to Iran’s actions against commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces responded by launching attacks on US bases in the Middle East.

On 12 July, Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz until the US ceased its interference in the region, following a renewed wave of mutual attacks between the two sides in the conflict.

A day later, Trump said the United States would act as the “guardian” of the Strait of Hormuz. He also reinstated the US blockade of Iranian ports.