International Desk

Iran has said it will refrain from launching retaliatory military strikes if the United States stops its air attacks on Iranian territory, according to a senior Iranian official.

Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, the official said Tehran would suspend its military response for as long as Washington refrains from further attacks.

According to the Reuters report, the Pentagon paused its air campaign last Friday after 13 consecutive nights of strikes. No new U.S. attacks were reported on Saturday or Sunday. During the same period, Iran also refrained from targeting neighboring countries hosting U.S. military bases.

"Our position is clear—an attack will be met with a response. If the attacks stop, Iran will also halt its operations," the Iranian official said, adding that the message had already been conveyed to the United States.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump had ordered the temporary suspension of military operations to create space for diplomatic efforts. He said the primary objective of the pause was to facilitate negotiations.

However, a U.S. official told Reuters that most of the pre-planned military targets had already been struck during the two-week campaign against Iran. The official also noted growing concerns over the depletion of missile and ammunition stockpiles used in the Middle East. As a result, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine reportedly warned President Trump about the risks of launching another major military operation.

Another senior Iranian source said Tehran does not view the U.S. decision to halt attacks as a permanent policy shift. Instead, Iranian officials believe it could be a tactical pause rather than a sign of a lasting ceasefire.

The developments come amid heightened tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's seaborne crude oil passes. Continued instability in the region has raised fresh concerns about global energy markets.

Although both sides have temporarily suspended military operations, the situation remains fragile. An Iranian businessman told Reuters, "Everyone in the country is living with uncertainty. The war is neither ending nor fully escalating."