US pauses planned attacks on Iran after 13 days of strikes: reports

US President Donald Trump has ordered the US military to hold off on planned strikes against Iran following 13 consecutive days of military operations, according to reports by The New York Times and Axios.

The New York Times, citing Trump administration officials, reported that the decision was made after concerns that an expanded conflict could significantly deplete the Pentagon's already reduced stockpile of Patriot missile interceptors and other air defence munitions deployed in the Middle East.

The report said Trump reached the decision during a meeting with his top advisers and senior cabinet members on Friday.

Meanwhile, Axios, citing two anonymous sources familiar with the matter, reported that it remains unclear whether the order is a temporary pause or the beginning of a longer suspension of military operations.

According to the report, the decision reflects Trump's willingness to allow more time for diplomatic efforts while recognising that, without a return to large-scale combat, the current level of US strikes has reached the limits of its effectiveness.