Iran denies US talks as Washington says diplomacy under way
8 minutes ago
The US military had not announced new air strikes on Iran as of July 26, the first pause since Washington's bombing campaign began nearly two weeks earlier, after Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine warned President Donald Trump the campaign risked depleting US munitions stockpiles and escalating the conflict further, CNN reported on July 25, citing sources familiar with a White House meeting.
Caine's concern marks a shift in tone from the Pentagon: in March, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said munitions stockpiles remained "extremely strong" even as the campaign was still in its early stages. Newsbase has described the campaign's rhythm of intense strikes followed by lulls as "a stochastic war", with the US hitting Iran "at least 170 times in two days" during one earlier surge.
Trump told reporters after Friday's meeting that talks with Iran were continuing and that Tehran appeared to be getting "more serious," adding that the military could resume strikes or "make it a heavier dose" if he judged it necessary.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said Trump "has always been consistent" in preferring a diplomatic solution but "retains all options" should Iran continue what the administration calls hostile activity in the Strait of Hormuz or against US allies in the region.
The pause comes days after Tehran said it was reviewing ceasefire proposals from mediators while vowing to keep fighting the US.
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