US and Iran have paused attacks for a second straight day, raising hopes of renewed negotiations on an interim ceasefire after nearly two weeks of escalating military action.
US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said President Trump is giving diplomacy space, noting that Oman, Iran, and other negotiators have been engaged in talks at all levels in recent weeks. Waltz also dismissed suggestions that the US is running low on interceptor missiles used to defend against Iranian attacks.
An Iranian army spokesperson said that Tehran halted retaliatory attacks in the region in response. The spokesperson confirmed that there have been no strikes over the past two nights since the US halted its operations.
The latest escalation began after Iran targeted ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, triggering daily exchanges of fire that effectively collapsed the June ceasefire. In recent days, Iranian attacks on bases hosting US forces killed three American service members in Jordan and one in Iraq.
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman have held technical talks in Tehran on the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due in Washington tomorrow for talks with President Trump on the regional situation.
