Second night without US strikes on Iran as ammunition shortages and diplomatic talks surface

Second night of pause in US strikes

No US bombing was reported in Iran during the night of Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 July, marking the second consecutive night of quiet in the nearly five-month conflict. American media cited a possible ammunition shortage as a reason. The pause came despite President Donald Trump saying on Friday that he was considering even larger strikes against Iran. Iran did not claim any attack against its Gulf neighbours, and those countries reported no overnight alerts.

Ammunition and defence stock worries

The New York Times, citing two sources close to the matter, reported that the US government is concerned about depleting stocks of Patriot missile interception systems and other defensive equipment protecting Gulf states. Those countries have been targeted by Iranian retaliation for American attacks. The newspaper also noted fears of an escalation of the conflict. CNN, quoting a US Department of Defense source, said military operations against Iran were "on pause" for the same reasons.

Diplomatic channel remains open

While continuing to threaten Iran, Trump said dialogue with Tehran is not broken.

In fact, we are talking to them right now.

He added: "I think they are becoming more and more serious as days go by, perhaps for an obvious reason," alluding to the US bombardments.

A five-month war and its economic wake

The Middle East war began on 28 February with an Israeli-American bombing campaign against Iran and has caused thousands of deaths across the region. It has also shaken the global economy by blocking traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly one-fifth of global hydrocarbon trade transited before the war. A 17 June ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, which opened a 60-day peace negotiation cycle, collapsed less than a month after coming into effect.