The United States had halted a 13-day series of attacks against Iran on July 24. Suzuki said Tehran may have concluded that the United States was increasingly unable to sustain the conflict because supplies of Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor missiles were becoming depleted. Suzuki said the United States now faced a difficult choice between continuing attacks indefinitely and eventually accepting some of Iran’s demands. Reports have suggested that the UAE has sought to restrain Iranian attacks by offering financial assistance. Japan bought Iranian oil until 2019, and recent reports have suggested that discussions on restarting imports may have taken place.