- Trump threatened a massive attack on Iran, but subsequently paused strikes against the country, marking a significant shift in US military strategy.
- Iran halted its retaliatory strikes against Washington's allies in the Middle East, indicating a willingness to de-escalate tensions.
- Mike Waltz stated that Trump is giving talks with Iran 'some space', suggesting a potential for diplomatic engagement.
- The US military had conducted strikes against Iran for 13 consecutive nights prior to the pause, marking a significant escalation in hostilities.
- Admiral Brad Cooper advised Trump to halt strikes around the Strait of Hormuz, indicating that the military campaign had reached its limits.
- Both sides appear to be in a state of 'quiet for quiet', with no immediate plans for further military action.
Iran and the United States have halted military strikes as of July 26, 2023, marking a significant pause in hostilities that had escalated over the past weeks.
U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy, Mike Waltz, emphasized the need for negotiations, stating he was "giving talks some space".
Tehran confirmed it would refrain from retaliatory actions against U.S. allies in the region.
Before this pause, the U.S. military had conducted strikes against Iran for 13 consecutive nights, the most intense period of conflict since an April ceasefire.
Admiral Brad Cooper, chief of U.S. Central Command, advised Trump to halt the bombing campaign, citing limited military value and a depletion of designated targets.5
He noted that the strikes had significantly diminished Iran's capacity to attack shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
Additionally, a shortage of air defense interceptors raised concerns about protecting U.S. forces in the region.
As a result of the pause, oil prices fell sharply, with Brent crude dipping below $90 a barrel, while gold prices rose amid eased inflationary fears.
Waltz confirmed that diplomatic discussions between the U.S. and Iran were ongoing at multiple levels.
For now, the situation remains "quiet for quiet," with both sides refraining from further military actions.
“US Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper advised Trump that further strikes had limited military value as most designated targets had been exhausted. Oil prices tumbled over 7% to below $90 a barrel, while gold rose to near $4,100 an ounce as markets reacted to the pause.”
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