Trump Still Ordering Strikes on Iran Amid Military Campaign Pause

Washington - United States President Donald Trump can still issue orders to carry out strikes against Iran, with the situation in the region remaining volatile amid a pause in the bombing campaign. RIA Novosti reported on Monday, citing The Wall Street Journal quoting US officials, that Trump postponed plans to sharply escalate the military campaign against Iran due to concerns that an escalation could drain already dangerously depleted air defence missile stockpiles. Trump administration officials said that Gulf states, including Oman and Qatar, are working to revive the diplomatic process, The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday. Meanwhile, Axios reported on Saturday that the US military is still preparing contingency plans to resume large-scale military action against Iran, although 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 before 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 launched several series of strikes against Iran. US Central Command stated that the strikes were a response to Iranian actions against commercial vessels transiting 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 ceases its intervention in the region, following another wave of mutual attacks between the two sides in the conflict. A day later, Trump said that the United States would become the ‘guardian’ of the Strait of Hormuz. He also reimposed a US blockade on Iranian ports.