NYT: Trump delays tougher Iran action over dwindling Patriot supplies

US President Donald Trump has decided to temporarily postpone expanding the military operation against Iran amid concerns over dwindling air defence stockpiles, The New York Times (NYT) reports, citing sources.

According to the newspaper, Trump met with advisers and senior officials on July 24 to discuss the growing shortage of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defence systems, as well as munitions for other air defence assets deployed across the Middle East.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine warned that a large-scale strike campaign could leave US Central Command without critically important missile reserves.

Sources told The New York Times that there is little support within Trump's inner circle for further escalation. One official argued that continued attacks are only strengthening Iranian public unity and are doing little to advance prospects for negotiations.

The administration is also concerned that a wider conflict could strain relations with US allies in the Persian Gulf, which remain vulnerable to potential Iranian attacks, while further exacerbating both the energy and migration crises, the newspaper concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada