Trump hits pause on Iran escalation as Pentagon warns on missile supplies

The pause in American strikes did not stop the conflict from spreading over the weekend. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis attacked Saudi energy sites along the Red Sea coast. Iran also accused Ukraine of targeting an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea, adding another dispute while U.S. aircraft remained quiet.

The U.S. military said Saturday that its naval blockade against Iran “remains in full effect.” It did not explain why American forces stopped after 13 straight nights of increasingly heavy strikes. According to one senior Trump administration official, the president remains a fan of diplomacy, but he noted that Iran has already seen what would happen if it rejects serious talks.

The Houthis launched an attack on facilities owned by Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL: 2222) in Jizan and Yanbu, the group’s military spokesman Yahya Saree said. Reuters footage showed a big cloud of smoke rising from the direction of Aramco’s refinery in Jizan.

Greek security officials said two ballistic missiles aimed at oil facilities in Yanbu were intercepted by a U.S.-made Patriot battery. Greek forces operate the system inside Saudi Arabia under an agreement with Riyadh.

Yanbu is Saudi Arabia’s main oil port on the Red Sea. It has become even more important because tankers can use that route to avoid the blocked Strait of Hormuz. The refinery in Jizan, a Red Sea city near Yemen, can process up to 400,000 barrels each day.

Trump has put off a larger U.S. strike against Iran after military leaders cautioned that another major round of combat could severely deplete America’s stockpile of Patriot interceptors and other air defense weapons, according to the New York Times.

The Pentagon is already dealing with fewer defensive missiles across the Middle East. Trump is still keeping force on the table, but the White House has paused plans for a sharp increase in attacks while officials review the military risks.

The decision came after Trump met senior advisers and Cabinet members on Friday. The discussion covered the chance of a wider Middle East war, the safety of Gulf partners that could face Iranian retaliation, rising fuel costs, pressure on the global economy, and refugee flows.

Officials also considered whether heavier attacks would push Tehran toward talks. Two officials briefed on the meeting said very few people around Trump supported the escalation plan.

The warning came from Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dan told officials that the United States could resume large combat operations against Iran, but doing so would sharply reduce the interceptors held by U.S. Central Command, which manages American missions across the region.

Those weapons are needed to protect U.S. bases, troops, and partners from missiles and drones. Central Command must keep enough interceptors ready for further Iranian attacks on bases and allies.

Last Friday, three American service members were killed in Jordan after a ballistic missile passed through U.S. defenses during an Iranian barrage of missiles and drones.

One senior U.S. official doubted that another intense bombing campaign would bring Iran back to the negotiating table. Diplomatic contacts have already broken down, and the latest U.S. attacks have not stopped Tehran’s military operations.

Trump has spent nearly five months deciding how far to take the conflict while also trying to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s closure of the strait has blocked a key route for the world’s energy shipments. The past few weeks have seen a renewal of fighting, and concerns regarding supply shortages are again pushing up gasoline prices.

The Trump administration also has concerns that a drawn-out war could strain relations with Gulf governments whose cities, bases, ports and energy sites are always easily within reach of Iranian missiles.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump “prefers a diplomatic solution” but still has every option if Iran continues attacking in the Strait of Hormuz or attacks U.S. allies.

Steven also said that Tehran should seek a deal after facing serious sanctions and repeated military attacks. He cautioned that the Iranian leaders are aware of what could happen if talks collapse.