# USPausesStrikesAfter13DaysOfBombingIran

The U.S. has paused its airstrikes on Iran after 13 consecutive nights of bombardment, with U.S. Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz saying the move is to create space for diplomacy. Several factors drove the decision: CENTCOM commander Gen. Bradford Cooper advised against continuing strikes on the Strait of Hormuz, arguing they had already significantly degraded Iran's capabilities and further bombing was "pointless". The White House also worried about escalation depleting Patriot missile stockpiles. In response, Iran also announced it would pause its retaliatory strikes, describing its strategy as "deterrence through proportional response". Mediators including Qatar, Egypt, and Pakistan had previously proposed a 10-day ceasefire, with negotiations potentially resuming soon.