Washington DC [US], July 27 (ANI): US President Donald Trump on Monday said Washington paused its recent military strikes on Iran after Tehran requested a meeting and urged a halt to military action, while warning that attacks could resume if the two sides fail to reach a new ceasefire agreement.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Waterford Township, Trump said Iran had approached the United States seeking renewed discussions and described the ongoing engagement as a diplomatic opportunity.
“They asked us very nicely, ‘Please stop, let’s meet,'” Trump said. “And that’s where we are right now; see what happens. If we don’t make a deal, we go back to the same thing.”
The remarks came after nearly two weeks of US strikes on Iran, as Trump and his administration continue to assess further military options.
The decision to pause the strikes followed discussions within the US administration over the potential consequences of expanding the military campaign.
CNN had earlier reported that Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine had raised concerns about further escalation, including issues related to US munitions stockpiles and other strategic implications.
According to Axios, citing two sources familiar with the matter, the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, recommended stopping the bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz, saying it had reached the limit of its effectiveness.
Axios also reported, citing the same sources, that Adm. Cooper’s recommendation, along with advice from several other civilian and military advisers, influenced Trump’s decision on Friday to halt US military strikes against Iran.
Trump also said the US is currently engaged in talks with Iran, claiming that communication channels had been opened both directly and through intermediaries.
“We’re talking with Iran right now,” Trump told reporters, adding, “We are having good talks.”
He said the discussions could lead to positive developments.
“They would not have requested the meeting if we were doing poorly. The only reason they want to meet is because we’ve been hitting them very hard,” Trump said.
Trump said Iran had sought the meeting through diplomatic channels as well as directly, indicating that negotiations were underway following the recent military escalation.
“They requested a meeting through their surrogates and directly, and we’re meeting,” he said.
The US President also addressed questions regarding American missile interceptor supplies, saying the country has sufficient defence resources while acknowledging efforts to further strengthen stockpiles.
On US missile interceptor stocks, Trump said the US has “a lot of ammunition, different types.”
He criticised the previous administration under Joe Biden for sending weapons to Ukraine, saying, “And so we’re building that up. But we have a lot. We have a lot of the mid-level stuff too. I mean, more than we could ever use, no matter what.”
“The Patriots, in particular, are being built,” he added.
Trump said the future course of action would depend on the outcome of the ongoing discussions, reiterating that the US would return to military action if diplomacy failed to produce an agreement. (ANI)
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