US Pauses Iran Strikes as Munitions Deplete; Strait of Hormuz Blockade Tightens

The US has paused major strikes against Iran after depleting precision munitions and Patriot interceptor stocks, with Pentagon officials warning that current expenditure rates are unsustainable. Iran continues to control the Strait of Hormuz, allowing fewer than 10 vessels daily. Tehran rejected three US ceasefire proposals via Qatar, Iraq, and Pakistan, waiting for oil prices to hit $120/barrel and US Strategic Petroleum Reserve to drop critically low. The Ansar Allah-Saudi conflict escalates with the Jizan refinery burning for over 24 hours after a Yemeni missile strike. Ukraine attacked an Iran-flagged commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea, killing one sailor, prompting Iranian threats of retaliation. Iran insists on mandatory fees for Strait transit, while Oman proposes a voluntary regional consortium. US Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper assessed that a large-scale strike could offset interceptor shortages by degrading Iran's launch capability. Netanyahu visits Washington, potentially pushing Trump toward renewed kinetic action. US officials worry that Russia and China are factoring US munitions shortages into their strategic calculations.