US President Donald Trump has held off on a major attack on Iran over concerns that the Pentagon is running low on air-defense missiles, the New York Times reports, citing sources familiar with the matter.
The two sides have exchanged strikes for nearly two weeks since a fragile ceasefire reached in spring collapsed, accusing each other of violating a 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on June 17.
On Thursday, Trump threatened Iran and the Houthis with “major military punishment” after the Yemen-based group struck two Saudi oil tankers, telling Axios he was considering a “massive attack” against Iran that would be “bigger than ever before.”
According to the article published on Saturday, the decision followed a meeting with senior advisers and cabinet officials a day earlier that reportedly focused on the Pentagon’s shrinking inventory of Patriot interceptors and other air defenses. Two people briefed on the discussion told the outlet that officials also feared a wider regional war, alienating Gulf allies vulnerable to Iranian retaliation, a global economic downturn, and growing energy and refugee crises.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine reportedly warned that major operations were feasible but would dangerously deplete the interceptors available to US Central Command. His spokesman declined to comment when approached by the outlet.
“Few if any in Mr. Trump’s inner circle believed the plan to escalate was wise,” the NYT wrote, citing two people briefed on the discussion. One senior US official argued that further strikes were keeping Iran cohesive and focused on an external threat rather than forcing negotiations.
White House communications director Steven Cheung told the NYT that Trump “prefers a diplomatic solution” but retains “all options” if Tehran continues “terrorist activities” in the Strait of Hormuz or against US allies.
An analysis in April by the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated that the initial campaign consumed at least 45% of America’s Precision Strike Missiles, nearly half of its Patriot interceptors, more than half of its THAAD missiles, and around 30% of its Tomahawk cruise missiles.
Earlier this week, the NYT and Wall Street Journal cited US officials as saying that Iranian missiles are becoming increasingly effective at penetrating US defenses because of their speed and maneuverability, as well as Iran’s evolving tactics.
Last Friday, three US soldiers were killed in Jordan when a ballistic missile penetrated US air defenses. A fourth soldier died in Iraq while ordnance from a downed Iranian drone was being destroyed.
The IRGC has also claimed that Iranian strikes disabled US radar, communications, and air-defense systems in Kuwait, including a Patriot battery, and damaged several MQ-9 drones. Neither Washington nor Kuwait has confirmed the claims.
No US strikes were reported overnight into Saturday, marking the first pause after 13 consecutive nights of attacks.
16 Responses
I think all Muslims should return to their country of origin. They do not have rights to England, Ireland, Scotland, or America. Spain was once Muslim and did very well during the 7th century. They built museums, were vested in science, they called the Mediterranean a Muslim sea, back then. If it hadn’t been for the Pope’s wanting complete control of the Christian congregation and the trade routes into Europe, we wouldn’t be convinced that Zionism is a good thing.
Did you get that memorandum?
Yep, that was a funny CON JOB.
It is obvious by now that those currently in position do not know what they are doing.
A prime example of DEI or lowest standard in hiring practices.
They are feckless and have proven by now their bungling inadequate incompetency.
And made millions along the way.
Thank you Trump for putting the U.S. in a weaker position to deal with real threats like China by using up important capabilities for Israel and telling the world of our low inventories
Michael Yon assessment of you is, rhymes with gaiter
Every day, Trump is making America less secure for his Rothschild masters.
Trump made a big production of slapping China with new tariffs to show what a tough guy he is. Xi quietly cut off the US’ supply of rare earth minerals needed for missiles and magnets. Israel burned thru all of their interceptors and 150 $13 million THAADs in the 12 day war. A new batch won’t be ready until 2027.
Perfect, now Iran can wipe em off the fucking map!!!
This is the culmination of TRILLIONS of dollars of rampant fraud within defense budgets over the decades. Give them another Trillion++ is always their answer.
Next comes national bankruptcy and CBDCs and the plan is complete.
Im starting to believe that Trump is the one heading up the 2030 agenda now. The snake in the grass himself.
He’s the scorpion that asked the from to carry him across the river.
He told you
So the people took the snake in.
Or so he said the first go round.
And the asp bit us on the ass.
Less dead schoolgirls killed by the US is always good news.
Muslims aren’t human. Less trash that can breed and shit out more muslimes.
Iran simply needs to be nuked into glass followed by Israel being nuked.
It’s good to know that the new infowars is just as populated with foul mouthed troglodytes as the old one was.
It’s good to know you probably took the experimental mRNA gene therapy bioweapons loaded with sv40 and are going to die ridding the earth of your worthless DNA.
Douchbag says what ?