US and Iran Pause Strikes for Diplomacy
The United States and Iran suspended military strikes for a second consecutive day as diplomatic efforts intensified to prevent renewed escalation and revive an interim ceasefire arrangement.
US Pauses Strikes on Iran
The Pentagon halted its bombing campaign late on Friday after conducting strikes against Iranian military and infrastructure targets for 13 consecutive nights. No further American attacks were reported over the weekend.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was giving negotiations “some space” and allowing diplomacy time to produce results. However, he stressed that Washington had not ruled out further military action and continued moving additional military assets into the region.
The Trump administration has maintained that diplomacy remains its preferred option, while warning Iran of further consequences if it refuses to participate seriously in negotiations.
Iran Suspends Retaliatory Attacks
Iran also refrained from launching retaliatory attacks over the weekend. A senior Iranian official said Tehran would continue holding fire as long as the United States maintained its bombing pause.
The latest escalation followed Iranian attacks on commercial vessels attempting to navigate the Strait of Hormuz. Washington accused Tehran of violating an interim agreement signed in June, which included commitments concerning shipping through the strategically important waterway.
Iranian officials have expressed caution over the latest pause, questioning whether it represents a genuine diplomatic opening or a temporary tactical decision.
US-Iran Diplomacy Gains Momentum
Regional mediators have been working to bring Washington and Tehran back to negotiations and restore the June arrangement. Pakistan, Qatar and Oman have played roles in efforts to reduce tensions and prevent the conflict from spreading across the Middle East.
Discussions are expected to focus heavily on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial traffic under fewer restrictions. However, no formal agreement to permanently halt the fighting has been announced, leaving the current pause fragile.
