US pauses strikes on Iran as Trump seeks deal

In late July 2026, the United States paused its military strikes on Iran, according to multiple reports. President Donald Trump ordered a halt to the bombing campaign to pursue a negotiated agreement, while also claiming the strikes had saved Israel from being 'terminated.' The Pentagon reported over 600 casualties in its Iran war database, and an expert warned about renewed strikes ahead of a planned meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump.

Iranian officials said they would not leave hostile actions unanswered and accused neighboring countries of carrying out strikes against it. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Iran of attacking Ukraine by supplying drones to Russia. Pakistani intelligence agencies saw indications of a possible US ground offensive in Iran, though no such operation has been confirmed.