US military officials have described a pause in Iran-U.S. strikes facilitated by CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper urging restraint and indicating the pause could be extended only as remaining targets are evaluated, with President Trump having paused strikes due to air-defense interceptor shortages potentially constraining force protection. The United States and Iran have both paused attacks for two nights as diplomacy to revive an interim ceasefire progresses, with talks emphasizing vessel transit in the Strait of Hormuz and fewer restrictions for shipping. Iran has halted retaliatory attacks while the pause persists but has warned it will resume if Washington resumes strikes, as regional dynamics include calls for escalation and warnings of wider attacks potentially aided by Yemen’s Houthi operations ahead of high-level meetings in Washington. The lull coincides with concerns over dwindling munitions stockpiles in the U.S. and discussions in the White House involving Vice President JD Vance and General Dan Caine, factors that could influence escalation decisions and market expectations around a potential U.S.-Iran deal. Analysts say that the interplay of munitions constraints and diplomatic optics may affect whether hostilities escalate or a negotiated settlement gains traction.