Trump orders pause on Iran strikes amid diplomatic efforts and stockpile concerns

US President Donald Trump ordered a pause on military strikes against Iran after 13 consecutive nights of air raids, allowing Omani-mediated diplomatic negotiations to proceed in Tehran. Officials hope an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz can be reached over the weekend.

While Axios reported the pause was intended to facilitate diplomacy, secondary reports from The New York Times indicated that US concerns over depleting stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles and air defense assets also influenced the decision.

Additionally, Washington is reportedly evaluating a covert mission to seize or neutralize Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles, a plan analysts labeled "too risky." Separately, Tehran blamed Kyiv for a fatal attack on an Iranian cargo vessel in the Caspian Sea.

Sources: Point, Ukrinform