Trump pauses daily attacks on Iran as Oman pushes Strait of Hormuz deal
U.S. President Donald Trump orders military to halt further strikes on Iran (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
President Donald Trump ordered U.S. forces to halt new
strikes on Iran on July 24, pausing a campaign of daily attacks that had lasted
nearly two weeks, Axios
reported.
The move suggested Trump wanted to give diplomacy more time
and that the limited U.S. campaign had achieved as much as it could without
escalating to full-scale war, Axios reported. U.S. forces could quickly resume
the attacks if Trump issued a new order.
The military continued preparing for renewed hostilities,
sources said.
For nearly two weeks, military officials had presented Trump
with strike plans each afternoon. He approved them, and the attacks followed
within hours. On July 24, however, Trump withheld approval for the latest plan,
sources said.
Trump later told reporters at the White House that the
United States could continue striking Iran or intensify the campaign. He said
reaching an agreement with Iran would be the best outcome.
“We’re negotiating with them right now. I think they’re
getting more and more serious every day. We’re armed to the teeth and ready to
act, but we’re negotiating with them,” Trump said.
At the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner later
that day, Trump said Iran was not yet ready to make a deal but added that he
was willing to hear Iran out.
Israeli officials said the country’s leadership and the
Israel Defense Forces had expected new U.S. strikes on July 24. They were also
preparing for a large-scale U.S. attack that could trigger retaliation against
Israel.
With no clarity about Washington’s next move, Israel’s
government and military remained on heightened alert and prepared for a major
bombing campaign. That evening, they were told Trump had not approved further
strikes.
Trump ordered the attacks halted several hours after an
Omani delegation arrived in Tehran on July 24 for talks on a new agreement to
reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Two regional sources familiar with the negotiations said the
sides had made progress and that Oman and Iran could reach an agreement this
weekend. Trump would then decide whether to accept the proposed deal.
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