US President Donald Trump directed the military to halt new strikes on Iran on Friday, breaking a 13-day streak of daily attacks, American media reported.
Washington, United States – Web Desk: US President Donald Trump has ordered the American military not to carry out new strikes on Iran, halting a 13-day streak of daily air operations, according to US media reports on Saturday.
Citing sources familiar with the matter, news outlet Axios reported that Trump withheld approval for a strike plan presented to him on Friday, instead directing the military to hold fire. It remained unclear whether the pause was a one-off decision or signalled a broader shift in US policy toward Iran.
According to the report, Trump believes the current campaign of strikes has already achieved much of its intended pressure, and that giving diplomacy room to work is now the more prudent course rather than being drawn into a wider war. The US president had approved daily strike plans for the preceding two weeks, with operations typically beginning within hours of his sign-off.
The report noted that the US military continues to prepare for the possibility of renewed escalation, even though Trump has not ordered any new offensive action. Two sources with knowledge of the decision told Axios that the president’s directive came after he had approved daily strikes over the previous 13 days. Axios
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said he retained the option of continuing or intensifying strikes on Iran if necessary, saying Washington could “knock out everything they have,” but added that he considered reaching a negotiated deal the smarter strategy. He said talks with Iran were ongoing and that Tehran appeared to be taking the negotiations more seriously as time passed. Axios
The pause coincided with the arrival of an Omani delegation in Tehran for talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments that Iran had shut amid the conflict. Regional sources cited by Axios said the Oman-mediated discussions had made progress and that an agreement could potentially be reached over the weekend, though any such deal would still require Trump’s approval.
The halt in strikes follows a collapse of the Islamabad Memorandum, the Pakistan-brokered understanding signed by Washington and Tehran in June, after both sides accused each other of violations. Israeli officials were reportedly caught off guard by the pause, having prepared for a possible expansion of the military campaign.
Whether Friday’s decision marks a genuine turning point toward renewed diplomacy or merely a brief lull in hostilities remains to be seen, with Trump himself cautioning that strikes could resume at short notice if talks falter.
