How a US commander’s advice changed Trump’s Iran strategy to shelve strikes

Trump Iran strikes were paused after CENTCOM chief Admiral Brad Cooper reportedly advised the bombing campaign had reached its limit of effectiveness, according to Axios.

Trump on iran warPresident Donald Trump speaks at the United States. (Photo: AP)

US President Donald Trump was reportedly determined to continue with the offensive military operations against Iran, but a top US military commander in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, recommended pausing the bombing campaign near the Strait of Hormuz as it has “reached its limit of effectiveness,” Axios reported.

The report, citing two sources aware of the matter, told the news outlet that the recommendation by Cooper, who is the commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), and other advisers together made an impact on President Trump’s decision to halt US strikes on Iran on Friday.

Advisers Outline the Limits of Air Strikes

Both military and civilian advisers reportedly acknowledged to President Trump that there are limits to what can be achieved via defence actions, specifically air strikes.

The direct impact of the advice, as reported, was that Trump restrained the American military from attacking Iranian targets around the southern coast of Tehran and in the Strait of Hormuz region.

The decision was taken after military officials and top advisers concluded a meeting with Trump, who presented the Republican leader with a new strike plan for the day.

A Shift in Trump’s Approach

Preceding the crucial meeting, the US President was inclining towards conducting a major combat operation against the Islamic Republic, though his approach started to change by Thursday, Axios reported. And the US President’s decision to halt the strikes solidified on Friday.

Assessment of Military Progress and Next Steps

Admiral Cooper gave his recommendations to halt the strikes on Iran earlier in the week while on the way to the Pentagon, the Joint Chiefs and the White House.

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Cooper reportedly said that the US military’s renewed strikes on Iran near the Strait of Hormuz had significantly degraded Tehran’s ability to attack vessels crossing the strategic waterway.

The next possible step for the US military, the CENTCOM commander said, would be to resume a major combat operation against Tehran to finish the 20 per cent of targets the American military had designated but didn’t attack.

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