U.S. President Donald Trump ordered American armed forces to pause new military strikes against Iran on Friday, July 24, according to Axios. The outlet reports that Trump had authorized daily strikes on Iranian targets for 13 consecutive days—but on that Friday, despite receiving a new operational plan from the Pentagon, he withheld approval and instead directed a halt to ongoing operations.
A Strategic Pause, Not Necessarily an End
It remains unclear whether the pause is temporary or signals a broader strategic shift. According to Axios, Trump has retained the authority to resume strikes at short notice. The decision appears to reflect both his desire to give diplomacy more time—and a growing assessment that the effectiveness of limited U.S. strikes has reached its limits without escalating to full-scale military action.
While U.S. military planners continue developing options for broader operations, Trump has not authorized any such move. As he told reporters at the White House shortly after the decision: “The smartest strategy is a deal.”
“We’re Talking with the Iranians”
Trump confirmed that direct talks with Tehran are underway. “Right now we’re in discussions with the Iranians. I think they’re getting more serious as the days go by. We’re fully prepared and ready to act—but we’re continuing our talks with them,” he said.
Later, at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, he struck a more cautious tone—acknowledging that Iran may not yet be ready for a formal agreement, but reaffirming his openness to dialogue.
Israel Taken by Surprise
The decision reportedly caught Israel off guard. Israeli officials told Axios that the country’s security cabinet and military had anticipated another round of U.S. strikes—and had even prepared for potential large-scale operations. They feared Iranian retaliation could spill over into Israeli territory. Israeli authorities remained on high alert throughout the day, uncertain of Washington’s intentions, and were only informed late Friday evening that Trump had declined to approve further strikes.
Diplomacy Through Oman
Trump’s decision came just hours after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to advance negotiations toward a new agreement—one that could pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Sources familiar with the talks say progress has been made, and a deal remains possible.