Mohammad Akraminia, Spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces [Captured from the Mehr News Agency website]

As the United States halted its airstrikes on Iran for two consecutive days, Iran announced on the 26th (local time) that it has also completely stopped retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. allies in the Middle East.

Mohammad Akraminia, spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, stated, "Although U.S. military attacks continued until the night before last, they have stopped for the past two days," adding, "Since our military strategy is fundamentally aimed at retaliation, we have also suspended our retaliatory operations."

In this regard, a high-ranking Iranian source told Reuters, "Iran's basic position is 'an attack for an attack,'" and "if U.S. military strikes cease, Iran will also halt its military operations; this message has already been conveyed to the U.S. side."

However, the source added regarding the U.S. suspension of airstrikes, "There is more skepticism than optimism," noting that "the prevailing view is that the U.S. pause in attacks is based on tactical judgment rather than a sincere gesture."

The armed conflict between the two countries over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint, has derailed diplomatic efforts, and the front lines have since expanded to include U.S. military bases in the Middle East, merchant vessels in the region, and allies in the Gulf.

With U.S. bombing, which had occurred every night for about two weeks, now halted and Iran also suspending its retaliatory attacks, speculation about a potential resumption of negotiations is being raised cautiously.

However, U.S. media outlets analyzed that this suspension of airstrikes may reflect pressure from a shortage of defensive weapon stockpiles, such as Patriot interceptor missiles.

Previously, CNN reported, citing an anonymous U.S. Department of Defense source, that U.S. military operations against Iran have been put on hold, despite President Donald Trump warning of much higher-level strikes on the 24th.

The New York Times (NYT) also reported, citing two well-informed sources, that a decline in U.S. military supply stocks was one of the reasons for delaying plans to expand military operations.

Moreover, while Iran still maintains control over the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian military has warned that if the U.S. resumes its attacks, the war will escalate further, ahead of the meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump scheduled for the 28th in Washington, leaving the embers of a potential resumption of armed conflict still alive.