- Trump has called off bombing on Iran, signaling a potential de-escalation in tensions.
- Iran has signaled it will halt strikes as long as the US maintains its pause.
- Residents in Iran remain apprehensive about the situation, expressing doubts that any pause in strikes will last.
Iran has announced it will halt its attacks as long as the U.S. maintains its pause on airstrikes, a senior official stated. This comes after President Trump called off a two-week bombing campaign, which had intensified over 13 nights.
The Pentagon suspended its airstrikes late on Friday, with no attacks reported over the weekend. U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, indicated that Trump’s decision was aimed at allowing more time for diplomacy. However, skepticism remains regarding the U.S. pause, with many viewing it as tactical rather than genuine.
Iran's stance is clear: “attack for attack”. If U.S. strikes cease, Iran will also halt its operations, a message already conveyed to Washington. Despite this, residents in Iran express doubt about the longevity of the pause. Nader, a Tehran business owner, remarked, “They keep announcing pauses, and then the war starts again. Everyone in the country is stuck in limbo.”
Concerns within the U.S. administration about the effectiveness of the bombing campaign were raised during a meeting with senior military and political advisers. Reports suggest that Pentagon Chief of Staff Dan Caine highlighted the depletion of Patriot air defense missiles, crucial for protecting U.S. bases in the region. Admiral Brad Cooper, the overall commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East, also advised halting the campaign due to its diminishing effectiveness.
As tensions continue, the situation remains precarious, with both sides navigating a complex landscape of diplomacy and military strategy.
“Tehran business owner Nader, 49, told Reuters he doubted any pause would last, saying, 'They keep announcing pauses, and then the war starts again.' He said Trump is 'playing games with Iran,' neither ending the war nor striking decisively, leaving the country in limbo.”
