U.S. Commander Suggests Pausing Strikes on Iran, Calling Continued Air Campaign Pointless

According to Axios, two sources said U.S. Central Command Commander Admiral Cooper recommended stopping bombing operations near the Strait of Hormuz because the campaign had reached the limit of its effectiveness. According to Jin10, the report said Cooper and other advisers influenced U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision on Friday to pause U.S. strikes on Iran. The report also said Cooper presented recommendations last week to the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the White House on the next course of action. He said the two-week attacks in the Strait of Hormuz area had significantly weakened Iran’s ability to attack ships, and that most designated bombing targets had already been completed.