Growing concerns over America’s dwindling stockpile of precision-guided munitions reportedly played a key role in discussions at the White House as President Donald Trump weighed expanding military operations against Iran, with the United States ultimately pausing its nightly bombing campaign after nearly two weeks of sustained strikes.

According to a U.S. official who spoke with CNN, Vice President JD Vance and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine both warned Trump during a Friday White House meeting about the strain the conflict has placed on U.S. weapons inventories.

On Friday night, the United States halted its air campaign against Iran for the first time in nearly two weeks. A Defense Department source told CNN that military operations are currently “on a hold.”

It remains unclear whether concerns over depleted munitions stockpiles were the primary reason for the operational pause or whether the suspension of strikes will continue.

“President Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the (Strait) of Hormuz or against allies,” White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said in a statement.

“Combined with successful sanctions that have crippled Iran’s economy and 13 straight days of strikes against military targets in response to their repeated aggression, it would be wise for Iran to work towards a negotiated deal. Otherwise, they know what will happen.”

CNN reported that it also sought comment from Vance’s office.

The developments come as key U.S. weapons reserves remain significantly depleted, with officials acknowledging that additional military operations against Iran would place even greater demands on already strained stockpiles.

After meeting Friday with Cabinet officials and senior advisers, Trump told reporters that negotiations with Iran remain active. At the same time, he made clear that further military action remains on the table, saying the United States could continue its bombing campaign or “make it a heavier dose.” He added that Iran appeared to be becoming “more serious” in ongoing negotiations.

As of Friday afternoon, administration officials were still debating what any escalation of the conflict would entail, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The source said Gulf nations have encouraged Washington to exercise restraint, while acknowledging that the United States possesses military capabilities unmatched by its regional allies should it choose to intensify the campaign.

Even after publicly discussing the possibility of launching a major offensive against Iran, Trump privately instructed his negotiating team to “keep talking,” according to a source familiar with the matter. The directive reflected the president’s effort to balance continued diplomacy with limited military pressure while avoiding the deployment of American ground forces.

According to multiple sources, many within Trump’s inner circle and senior Pentagon leadership remained skeptical that further military escalation alone would achieve the president’s strategic objectives.

CNN previously reported that before the war began, Gen. Caine and other senior military leaders had already cautioned Trump that an extended conflict could significantly deplete America’s weapons stockpiles.

“America’s military is the most powerful in the world and has everything it needs to execute at the time and place of the President’s choosing,” Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement to CNN.

“We have executed multiple successful operations across combatant commands while ensuring the U.S. military possesses a deep arsenal of capabilities to protect our people and our interests.”