Why the US Stopped Bombing Iran – Assessment
The US has paused its air campaign against Iran after two weeks of strikes on targets along the Strait of Hormuz. The reason was a recommendation by General Bradley Cooper that targets in the area were exhausted. Tehran signaled readiness for concessions on shipping, and Washington decided to await negotiation results while maintaining a port blockade.
The US has paused its air campaign against Iran after two weeks of massive strikes on targets along the coast of the Strait of Hormuz. The reason was a recommendation by General Bradley Cooper, commander of US Central Command, who stated that targets in the area were exhausted. Key facilities—radar stations, control towers, missile and drone positions, antennas, shipyards, bridges, and transport hubs—had already been hit. The operation aimed to secure shipping through the strait. After this phase, US leadership faced a choice: stop the campaign or expand strikes deeper into Iran. Cooper's recommendation coincided with signals from Tehran about readiness for concessions on shipping. Washington decided to pause bombings pending negotiation results, but military pressure is not fully lifted: the blockade of Iranian ports continues, with exceptions for food and essential goods.