Trump pauses Iran escalation over dwindling missile stocks: Report

US President Donald Trump has paused plans to sharply escalate military operations against Iran following warnings from senior advisers about dangerously low inventories of Patriot air defense missiles needed to protect American troops and bases across the Middle East, the New York Times reported Saturday.

Cabinet warns of depleted stocks

The decision followed a Friday meeting with senior Cabinet officials and military leaders who cautioned that renewed major combat operations could dangerously deplete interceptor stocks. General Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a major operation remained feasible but would sharply reduce munitions available to Central Command to protect installations in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Casualties and regional risks

The administration also fears that further escalation could trigger heavier Iranian retaliation, alienate Gulf allies and worsen global energy and refugee crises. Concerns intensified after three American soldiers died in Jordan when an Iranian ballistic missile penetrated US defenses during a recent barrage, according to the newspaper.

The Pentagon has already expended more than 1,200 Patriot interceptor missiles during the conflict, leaving inventories at levels that worry defense planners, according to internal estimates cited by the newspaper. Military officials said recent deployments to the region had further strained available supplies.

Bombing campaign shelved

Trump had been considering a multistage bombing campaign targeting Iranian coastal radars, anti-ship missile launchers and attack boats linked to attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Additional strikes on energy facilities, railway bridges and nuclear sites were also under review, though some officials questioned whether such a campaign would push Tehran toward negotiations or merely strengthen internal cohesion.

Advisers have instead urged the president to maintain the current naval blockade and increase economic pressure on Tehran while continuing diplomatic efforts, the report said. The Pentagon had recently moved additional forces, weapons and supplies to the Middle East in preparation for a possible escalation that now appears on hold.