After conducting airstrikes in Iran for two consecutive weeks, the United States has suspended all attacks over the last two days.
The administration made this decision primarily out of concern that its stockpiles of interceptor missiles, which are used to counter Iranian retaliatory missile strikes, are running dangerously low.
The New York Times reported this development in a report on Sunday, July 26.
According to the report, President Donald Trump and his top military advisers discussed the rapidly depleting inventory of missile interceptors last week.
Following those discussions, Washington backed away from plans for a major aerial assault scheduled for late in the week.
Previously, on Friday, July 24, President Trump had announced that airstrikes against Iran would be intensified. However, after an emergency meeting with his top military advisers, he shifted his position.
Two separate sources confirmed the events to the media outlet, stating that General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, personally briefed President Trump on the situation.
He warned that while the US could launch a major attack on Iran, doing so could critically deplete the interceptor missile stockpiles needed to protect US military bases and troops in the Middle East.
Additionally, a Trump administration official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that uncertainty and doubt have emerged within the White House over whether continuous, intense strikes would actually force Iran to the negotiating table.
Instead, the recent US attacks have reportedly strengthened nationalist unity among Iranians, rallying them together in the face of foreign threats.
Amidst these strategic doubts, the US military did not launch any new strikes on Iranian territory on Friday and Saturday night, July 25.
