The United States has temporarily suspended its latest military offensive against Iran after President Donald Trump reportedly decided against authorising planned strikes on Friday. The decision ended nearly two weeks of continuous attacks, according to an Axios report citing people familiar with the matter.

The report said Trump had approved military operations almost every day during the recent campaign. However, on the 13th day, he instructed the US military to hold back from launching further strikes, indicating a possible shift towards diplomacy.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump suggested that discussions with Tehran were making progress while stressing that military action remained an option if needed.

‘We’re talking to [the Iranians] right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by. We’re locked and loaded and ready to go, but we’re talking to them,’ Trump said.

Oman said to be facilitating negotiations

According to Axios, diplomatic efforts have resumed with Oman playing a key role in mediation. An Omani delegation is reportedly in Iran to discuss an agreement that could help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important oil shipping routes. Citing regional sources, the report said both sides could reach an understanding over the weekend.

The Strait of Hormuz carries around 20 per cent of global oil trade and has remained a major point of tension throughout the conflict. The latest US military campaign had resumed after Iran’s effective closure of the strategic waterway.

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Israel maintains cautious approach

While Israel has not participated in the latest round of US strikes, it remains on high alert over the possibility of Iranian retaliation. Axios reported that Israeli officials had initially expected fresh US strikes on Friday before being informed that the operation had been paused.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet President Trump in Washington next week.

Michael Singh, Managing Director at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said Israel’s restraint could indicate an effort to reduce tensions, though he warned that the situation remains uncertain.

‘If it turns into a multiday pause, that’ll be something significant. But it’s hard to know. Is it an operational pause? Is it a pause to allow for some kind of behind-the-scenes diplomacy?’ he said.

Houthis target Saudi oil facilities

Despite the pause in US strikes, regional tensions continued to escalate. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen launched missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia on Saturday, a day after Saudi forces struck Yemen’s strategic Red Sea port city of Hodeida.

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Houthi military spokesperson Brig Gen Yahya Saree said the attacks targeted Aramco facilities in the Saudi cities of Yanbu and Jizan. Aramco is the world’s largest oil company.