'Something much bigger': Former Pentagon chief predicts US could expand Iran attacks soon

WASHINGTON, DC: As President Donald Trump has finally ordered an end to strikes against Iran after two weeks of continuous attacks, former Pentagon Chief Mark Esper predicted that something bigger is awaits and President Trump is "on the cusp" of escalating attacks in Iran.

The decision to halt strikes, made Friday, July 24, comes as behind-the-scenes diplomacy led by Oman appears to be making progress and could open the door to a negotiated de-escalation between Washington and Tehran.

Mark Esper says Iran strike pause is temporary

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper told Fox News on Saturday, July 25, that he believes President Donald Trump is on the verge of escalating attacks in Iran.

"This may be a 24- or 48-hour respite," Esper said. "At the same time, of course, [Trump has] maintained the blockade. I'd like to see him, frankly, expand it to every type of entry and exit point around the country, whether it's air, sea or ground."

"I'm a big believer in the blockade in terms of cutting off all sources of revenue, because if they don't have revenue, Mike, then they can't rebuild their military. They can't pursue their nuclear ambitions. They can't support their proxies," Esper said, speaking to host Mike Emanuel.

Esper led the Defense Department from 2019 to 2020 under the first Trump administration.

Esper made the case that the Trump administration might have stopped the strikes so they could "reposition, prepare, reload, et cetera, for something much bigger that looks like the beginning of the war."

Trump pauses military action against Iran

Trump paused the renewed hostilities, which began on July 6.

He had approved military strike packages submitted by US commanders, with operations typically carried out within hours.

On Friday, July 24, however, the president declined to authorize another round of attacks, breaking the streak of daily strikes.

The decision does not signal the end of military preparations, as US forces remain positioned to resume operations on short notice if negotiations fail or Iran escalates the conflict.

Speaking at the White House, Trump stressed that the United States remains "locked and loaded" but argued that reaching an agreement would be the "smarter strategy."

The pause coincided with the arrival of an Omani delegation in Tehran for high-level discussions aimed at reducing regional tensions and securing a new arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical energy shipping routes.