After nearly two weeks of sustained attacks around the Strait of Hormuz and repeated warnings from President Donald Trump that military action could intensify, the US abruptly paused its bombing campaign on Friday. The decision, according to multiple reports, was driven less by diplomacy than by a reassessment inside the White House and Pentagon of what further strikes could realistically achieve.

"Smoke has been seen coming from a Saudi Arabian oil refinery..."

The US military halted strikes against Iran as Oman and Qatar pursue a diplomatic pause to hostilities in the Middle East. US Central Command (CENTCOM) did not announce military…