Why has the US halted its bombing of Iran?
The United States has paused its airstrikes against Iran in response to reports that it may be running low on air defense interceptors. The move comes after nearly two weeks of bombardments, including in the Strait of Hormuz, since a ceasefire was brokered between Washington and Tehran.
According to media reports, US President Donald Trump has denied any intention to halt strikes, but sources close to the administration have hinted that the country may be struggling with depleted stockpiles of Patriot antimissile interceptors. The exact number is not known, but it is believed that the US military’s air defense systems are facing a significant shortage.
The situation in Iran remains tense, with reports of Iranian state broadcaster IRIB claiming that six ships attempted to pass through an “illegal and unsafe” route in the Strait of Hormuz after turning off their navigation and positioning systems. However, retaliatory attacks by Iran on US military assets and infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan have ceased.
The global oil price has dropped significantly since the US and Iran halted exchanging missiles, signaling a potential shift towards diplomacy. The move is seen as a major concession by Washington, which had been seeking to escalate tensions with Tehran further.
Despite the pause in strikes, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, and shipping traffic through other vital waterways such as the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the entrance to the Red Sea has slowed due to Houthi attacks on ships along Yemen’s coast. The situation is also being watched closely by regional mediators who are working to reach a new ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
The US military has confirmed that its naval blockade of Iranian ports, including those in the Strait of Hormuz, “remains in full effect,” but did not specify why Washington had halted attacks on Iran after 13 nights of escalating strikes. The move is seen as a major concession by Trump, who has dismissed concerns about munition stockpiles.
Experts believe that the US’s decision to halt strikes is also driven by economic factors, including the severe cost and damage caused by Iranian airstrikes on Gulf countries’ economies. Tehran witnessed long lines for gasoline and diesel fuel, sometimes reaching up to 1 kilometer, while infrastructure damage in Iran from US strikes has been significant.
The situation remains volatile, with Qatar, Egypt, and Pakistan working with regional mediators to reach a new ceasefire between the US and Iran. The hope is that both sides will be able to find a formula for reopening the strait that all other stakeholders would accept.
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
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