No US Strikes On Iran For First Time In 13 Days, But Trump’s Latest Warning Keeps Escalation Fears Alive

Iran-US Tensions: After 13 consecutive nights of attacks, the US paused strikes on Iran for the first time in two weeks. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that no strikes were conducted on Friday night as discussions continued. However, the pause has sparked speculation over whether it marks a possible opening for diplomacy or only a brief calm before another escalation in the ongoing conflict.

First Strike-Free Night In 13 Days

While several reports suggested that US military forces were ready for another operation similar in scale to the strikes carried out during the previous two weeks, no attacks were actually carried out. The US has not yet explained why it halted the series of strikes that had continued for 13 nights, to degrade Iranian capabilities and the threat it poses to civilian mariners and commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

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Meanwhile, Iranian officials also acknowledged the quiet night. Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour wrote on X, "It seems that our dear Iran had a peaceful night last night." Following the pause in US strikes, there were also no immediate reports on Saturday of Iranian attacks on Gulf countries, which had been taking place regularly in response to the US attacks.

Trump Warns Military Option Remains Open

Despite the pause, US President Donald Trump on Friday said pressure on Iran had not reduced and warned that the US military was prepared to increase operations if talks failed. “We’re locked and loaded and ready to go," Trump said. Trump asserted that discussions were continuing and that there were multiple options available, including diplomacy and further military action.

President Trump says the U.S. and Iran are talking but he may authorize a major attack. He says diplomacy is the "smarter way" but continued strikes are "probably the easier way."

The U.S. paused strikes last night, but the war has widened in recent weeks. pic.twitter.com/9xwryJWjsA

— The American Conservative (@amconmag) July 25, 2026

"They want to be the tough guys, but they do want to make a deal," Trump said. "There's two ways. I mean, it's…you can just keep doing exactly what we're doing and take them apart piece by piece. We can do it in a more rapid fashion, which we might do, or we can negotiate with them, which we're also doing right now."

Trump Holds Security Meeting Over Iran

Furthermore, the reports suggest that the pause came a day after Trump’s cabinet met to discuss possible steps, including increasing military action against Iran. A source told The Associated Press that Trump also met senior national security officials to discuss whether to expand attacks or change strategy, though no final decision was confirmed. While the temporary halt in strikes has raised hopes of a possible diplomatic solution, neither the US nor Iran has shown clear signs of stepping back from the conflict.

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