According to two sources, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, Commander of U.S. Central Command Brad Cooper, recommended halting the bombing campaign in the area of the Strait of Hormuz because it had reached the limit of its effectiveness. This was reported by Axios.

According to the sources, Cooper’s recommendation, along with those of other advisers, influenced Trump’s decision on Friday to pause U.S. strikes on Iran.

This amounted to an acknowledgment by both the president’s military and civilian advisers that there are limits to what can be achieved through military action, and in particular through a campaign relying on air power.

According to the sources, in the days before the meeting Trump had been leaning toward resuming major combat operations, but on Thursday evening his view began to change.

On Friday, his decision to pause the bombing of the strait was окончательно укрепилось.