US pauses strikes on Iran as reports cite weapons stockpile concerns

The United States held back from further airstrikes on Iran on Sunday as the conflict neared its fifth month and US media reported that concerns over shrinking weapons stocks were affecting plans for escalation.

The pause followed nearly two weeks of nightly US bombardments and raised hopes of a possible return to talks. CNN reported, citing an unidentified Pentagon source, that US operations against Iran were on hold. The New York Times reported, citing two people briefed on the matter, that plans to expand the campaign had been set aside partly because of declining supplies, including Patriot interceptors and other defensive weapons.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had not decided whether to resume a full operation. He told journalists that Washington was talking to Iran and said Tehran faced a choice between a deal and strikes at a “much higher level”. Axios reported that the Pentagon had presented a plan for a 14th night of strikes, but that Trump did not authorise it and instead chose to push for talks.

CNN reported that Vice President JD Vance and top US general Dan Caine raised concerns about escalation during a White House meeting on Friday. According to the network, Caine told Trump the military could carry out the available options successfully but warned about possible consequences.

The fighting began around the strategic Strait of Hormuz and disrupted diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran. It has since expanded to attacks on US bases, regional shipping and Gulf allies. The New York Times reported that Trump also faced the risk of a wider Middle East war, strained ties with vulnerable Gulf allies and further shocks to the global economy. The conflict is also weighing on his approval ratings ahead of US midterm elections in November.

The fighting has also spread to Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels said they struck Saudi Aramco sites in Jizan and Yanbu on Saturday, a day after Riyadh bombed Houthi targets. The Greek air force media office said a surface-to-air battery operated by Greek personnel in Saudi Arabia downed two ballistic missiles and a drone over Yanbu.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they stopped four ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz in 24 hours. Tehran's effective blockade of the waterway remains the main flashpoint with Washington. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran could not be blamed for the escalation and offered to mediate talks between the Houthis and Riyadh, saying there was no military solution.