Adm. Brad Cooper, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, has recommended halting the bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz, citing that it has reached the limit of its effectiveness. This recommendation influenced President Trump's decision on July 26 to pause U.S. strikes against Iran. According to sources, both military and civilian advisers acknowledged the limitations of military action, particularly air power campaigns.
Trump ordered the military to refrain from conducting strikes against Iranian targets after a meeting with top advisers and military officials. Previously, Trump had been considering a return to major combat operations, but his stance shifted following discussions on the effectiveness of the ongoing strikes. Cooper's assessment indicated that the recent strikes had significantly degraded Iran's ability to attack ships, and he noted that the designated bombing targets were mostly exhausted.
Cooper suggested that if the U.S. were to resume major combat operations, it would be to target the remaining 20% of designated targets from Operation Epic Fury. Without a decision to escalate, he argued that continuing the bombing campaign was unwarranted. Additionally, Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that a shortage of air defense interceptors could hinder the protection of U.S. forces and allies in the region.
Negotiations between Iran and Oman are ongoing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe transit of ships. However, it remains uncertain whether any agreement would be acceptable to Trump, which could lead to further escalation of conflict. Meanwhile, the situation appears to be stable, with both sides currently pausing their attacks. U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, indicated that while all options remain available, the administration is allowing space for diplomatic talks with Iran.