The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East reportedly advised the Trump administration to halt its bombing campaign around the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that the operation had reached the limits of its military effectiveness. The recommendation was made by Admiral Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), and was a key factor in President Donald Trump's decision to pause the air campaign last week, according to a report by Axios.
According to the report, Admiral Cooper told senior Pentagon officials, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the White House that continuing the strikes without a broader escalation was unlikely to achieve additional strategic gains. He reportedly concluded that the remaining targets offered diminishing military value and warned that further action would require a significantly larger campaign.
The assessment came alongside concerns from Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, who reportedly warned about dwindling U.S. air defence interceptor stocks, raising questions about the ability to protect American forces and allies if the conflict expanded.
Following the recommendation, the United States paused its bombing campaign, while Iran also signalled it would suspend retaliatory attacks as long as the U.S. maintained the pause. At the same time, diplomatic efforts involving Oman have intensified, with discussions focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and preventing a wider regional conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes, carrying a significant share of global oil exports. Any disruption in the waterway has immediate implications for international energy markets and regional security, making diplomatic progress a priority for all sides.
