Axios reported on Saturday, citing sources familiar with the decision, that Trump declined to approve a fresh round of strikes planned for Friday after authorising daily military action over the previous 13 days.

It was not immediately clear whether the pause is temporary or signals a broader shift in US strategy.

The report said Trump believes the current campaign has achieved as much as possible without drawing the United States into a larger military confrontation and wants to give diplomacy more room to succeed.

While the Pentagon continues preparing for a possible escalation if negotiations fail, Trump has not ordered any expansion of military operations, the report added.

Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US retained the capability to intensify its campaign against Iran but argued that pursuing a negotiated settlement remained the preferable course.

“We’re talking to the Iranians right now. I think they’re getting more and more serious as the days go by. We’re locked and loaded and ready to go, but we’re talking to them,” he said.

Later, at the White House Correspondents Association dinner, Trump struck a more cautious tone, saying he did not believe Tehran was yet ready to reach an agreement, though he remained open to hearing its proposals.

The decision to pause military action came hours after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to discuss a new arrangement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping route.

According to two regional sources, the talks have made progress, and Oman and Iran could reach a preliminary agreement over the weekend, after which Trump is expected to decide whether Washington will accept the proposed deal.