Trump pauses Iran strikes again as diplomacy gains momentum before Netanyahu talks
The US president suspended military action against Iran for a second consecutive night, while Washington and Tehran signalled support for renewed diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.
President Donald Trump pauses military action against Iran as diplomatic efforts continue.
WASHINGTON: Iran strikes remained on hold for a second consecutive night after US President Donald Trump paused military operations to allow more time for diplomatic negotiations aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said the administration was giving diplomacy an opportunity before deciding on its next course of action.
White House leaves military options open
Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, Waltz said President Trump was “giving talks some space” while continuing to evaluate developments.
However, he stressed that Washington had not ruled out further military action.
“The president is keeping all options on the table,” Waltz said during an interview with NBC.
He also rejected reports suggesting US officials feared that expanding the conflict could significantly reduce the country’s stockpile of air defence missiles.
According to Waltz, the US military has the resources needed to continue operations if required.
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Iran also pauses retaliatory attacks
An Iranian military spokesperson confirmed that Tehran had suspended what it described as retaliatory operations in the region.
The pause followed nearly two weeks of daily US airstrikes and Iranian counterattacks that effectively collapsed the ceasefire reached in June.
Despite the temporary halt, tensions between the two countries remain high.
Hormuz talks continue
Meanwhile, Iran and Oman held technical discussions in Tehran on Friday and Saturday to address navigation and security issues in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the talks focused on managing one of the world’s most important energy shipping routes.
Disputes over the strategic waterway have remained a major obstacle to a lasting peace agreement.
Conflict reignited after tanker attacks
The United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding in June to suspend military operations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
However, fighting resumed after Iranian forces attacked commercial tankers in the waterway on July 13.
Washington responded by restarting airstrikes and tightening its naval presence around Iranian ports.
Iran then launched attacks on US military facilities across the Middle East.
According to Iranian health officials, subsequent US strikes have killed dozens of people.
Oil prices and public concern remain high
The renewed conflict pushed global oil prices sharply higher last week.
Brent crude briefly climbed above $100 a barrel, raising concerns about energy supplies and inflation.
Meanwhile, a new CBS/YouGov poll found that 57% of Americans were frustrated with the ongoing conflict, while only 19% said they felt optimistic about its outcome.
Trump to meet Netanyahu
President Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday.
The meeting is expected to focus on the conflict with Iran, regional security and efforts to prevent a wider war in the Middle East.
