Iran Halts Attacks Pending US Pause, Cites 'Response for Response'

Tehran. Iran has stated that it will not retaliate as long as the United States halts its airstrikes. Speaking to international news agency Reuters, a senior Iranian official clarified that Iran would suspend its military operations as long as the US does not repeat its attacks. However, Iran has interpreted this as a temporary step based on the principle of 'response for response' rather than a permanent ceasefire.

US President Donald Trump decided to halt the bombing campaign on Iran for some time after discussions with his senior military and security advisors. Trump's advisors expressed concerns that most of the pre-planned military targets for continuous bombing had already been destroyed and that prolonged war would also affect US arms stockpiles.

The Pentagon had suspended bombing last Friday night after conducting airstrikes on Iran for 13 consecutive nights. Since then, the US has not carried out any airstrikes on Saturday and Sunday. With the cessation of US attacks, Iran has also stopped its retaliatory attacks targeting neighboring countries where US military bases are located for two days.

The Iranian official, who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said that Tehran's policy is still 'response for response'. According to him, if the US starts attacking again, Iran will also immediately resume military operations. He informed that this message has already been sent to the US through diplomatic channels.

US Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, stated that President Trump decided to temporarily halt bombing to give diplomatic efforts an opportunity. Speaking to Fox News Sunday and other US media outlets, he said that this decision was made to provide some time and opportunity for talks. However, he did not disclose further details about potential talks or their nature.

According to US military officials, most of the pre-planned targets have been destroyed in airstrikes conducted over the past two weeks to stop Iranian activities targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz region. Another US official told Reuters on condition of anonymity that new strategies might be needed for further extensive attacks.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kaine, also warned Trump that resuming large-scale war would increase risks. According to him, prolonged military operations could deplete the stock of interceptor missiles needed for US missile defense systems. However, General Kaine's office and US Central Command declined to comment publicly on this matter.

Speaking on NBC's Meet the Press program, Ambassador Waltz claimed that the US military has all the necessary resources. However, he mentioned that when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth took charge in the Trump administration, the US defense system was in a weak state. Meanwhile, Iran has not expressed much hope regarding the decision to stop US bombing. According to Iranian sources, the understanding in Tehran is that the US decision is merely a strategic pause rather than a real policy change. Sources indicate that Iran's stance is that the US cannot be fully trusted based on past experiences.

For the past two weeks, the US had been conducting airstrikes on Iran every night in response to Iranian activities targeting ships in the Strait of Hormuz region. In retaliation, Iran had attacked desalination plants in Gulf countries where US military bases are located. About 20% of the world's oil consumption is transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran maintains its stance on maintaining control over this region.

Meanwhile, it is analyzed that the recent US military campaign has rendered the interim agreement reached last month for ending the war ineffective. President Trump made the decision to halt bombing after a high-level meeting held on Friday. According to various media outlets, Vice President JD Vance and Commander of US Forces in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, also suggested suspending military operations during that meeting, citing diminishing effectiveness of further bombing.