Report: Trump paused Iran escalation over Patriot interceptor concerns

Report: Trump paused Iran escalation over Patriot interceptor concerns

US President Donald Trump has, for now, set aside plans to sharply escalate the American military campaign against Iran, with growing concern that a wider war could dangerously deplete the Pentagon's stockpile of Patriot missile interceptors and other air defence munitions in the Middle East, The New York Times reports.

According to the newspaper, Trump discussed the conflict with senior advisers and cabinet officials during a meeting on Friday.

The New York Times said Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has privately warned that while renewed large-scale operations against Iran are militarily feasible, they would dangerously reduce interceptor stocks available to US Central Command, which oversees operations across the Middle East.

The risks of resuming major combat operations, including the prospect of a broader regional war, the vulnerability of Gulf allies to Iranian attacks, and the potential for global economic disruption were also discussed. 

Iranian pilgrims walk along the highway from the holy city of Najaf to Karbala. (AFP) ...