U.S. Halts 13-Day Iran Bombing Campaign on July 24 Due to Critical Air Defense Missile Shortages

According to the New York Times, the U.S. suspended military operations against Iran on July 24 after 13 consecutive days of bombing, marking the first pause in nearly two weeks. The decision followed a classified meeting between President Donald Trump and military officials on July 24, where Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Kane warned that resuming large-scale combat operations would dangerously deplete interceptor missile inventories needed to defend U.S. forces stationed in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the UAE.

Trump had previously stated in an Axios interview that a major attack was under review, but military leadership's assessment of dwindling ammunition stocks prompted the suspension of bombing plans. The pause brings military confrontation between the two sides to a temporary standstill.