US Holds Off Attack on Iran, Tehran Follows Up with Retaliation Operations

JAKARTA - Iran said it had halted retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East after Washington had not attacked Iran for the past two nights. This pause has reopened hopes for negotiations, but the threat of a wider war has not disappeared.

Arab News, quoted on Sunday, July 26, reported that the statement was made by Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia on Sunday. He said the US attack on Iran stopped in the last two nights.

"These attacks continued until two nights ago, but for the last two nights the Americans stopped their attacks," Akraminia said.

"Because our strategy is basically retaliation, we also stopped our retaliatory operations," he said.

Iran's statement comes as the war is nearing its fifth month. US media reported that Washington's plans to expand the attack were held back by concerns over dwindling ammunition supplies.

CNN, citing an unnamed Pentagon source, reported that US operations against Iran were being held. This condition occurred even though US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened an attack at a "much higher level".

The New York Times reported that plans to expand the attack were partially delayed due to dwindling supplies of weapons. The newspaper also said Trump was at risk of a wider Middle East war, a rift in relations with Gulf allies, and continued shocks to the global economy.

CNN reported that Vice President JD Vance and the highest-ranking US general Dan Caine expressed concerns about the expansion of the conflict in a White House meeting on Friday.

According to the report, Caine said the military could carry out available options, but he also warned of possible impacts.

Iran remains on alert. The Iranian military said the war would widen if the US resumed the attack. The warning came ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Tuesday.

Trump on Friday said he had not decided whether to return to full-scale operations.

"We're talking to them right now. I think they're getting more serious," Trump told reporters.

Trump said Iran faces a choice between the deal or an attack on a "much higher level".

According to Axios, the Pentagon had previously presented plans for an attack for the 14th consecutive night. However, Trump did not give permission and chose to encourage talks.

In Tehran, Sunday's activity was seen to be normal. An AFP reporter reported that residents faced traffic jams on their way to work. Shops and restaurants remained open as the city was hit by a heat wave.

However, the Strait of Hormuz is still a hot spot. Iranian state television reported that the Iranian armed forces stopped six ships that tried to cross the strait in the last 24 hours after being warned.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic sea lane for oil and gas trade. Tensions in these waters thwarted Washington and Tehran's diplomatic efforts, then widened to attacks on US bases, regional shipping, and Gulf allies.

Arab News said Tehran's effective restrictions on the route remain a key point of tension with Washington.

Iran also said there was progress in talks with Oman on managing shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

Spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Esmaeil Baqaei, said several rounds of negotiations were held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday. The meeting involved Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers.

According to Baqaei, the talks focused on common principles and operational mechanisms to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while respecting the sovereignty of both countries.

He called the talks useful and said progress had been made. Technical and political consultations are said to continue.

In June, Oman and Iran said they would discuss the implementation of service fees for passing ships. Washington opposed the plan.

However, Muscat also said the ship could cross the Strait of Hormuz through Omani waters. The statement angered Tehran.

Arab News said the Axios report linked Trump's decision to hold off on the attack with the arrival of an Oman delegation in Tehran to discuss new arrangements regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said there had been no change in the status of shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.