US Commander's Advice Led Trump to Abandon Iran Strikes: Report
US President Donald Trump was reportedly prepared to continue offensive military operations against Iran, but a top US military commander in the Middle East recommended pausing the bombing campaign near the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Axios.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), advised that the campaign had 'reached its limit of effectiveness,' the report said, citing two sources familiar with the matter. The recommendation, along with input from other advisers, influenced Trump's decision to halt US strikes on Iran on Friday.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments, has been a flashpoint in US-Iran tensions. The US has maintained a military presence in the region, and the reported pause in strikes marks a shift in strategy.
The Axios report did not specify the nature of the planned strikes or the timeline of the decision. Neither the White House nor CENTCOM immediately commented on the report.
This development comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, including Iranian seizures of oil tankers and US allegations of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels. The US has been leading a maritime security mission in the region.
