The United States and Iran refrained from launching attacks for a second consecutive day on Sunday, offering a window for mediators to revive negotiations over an interim ceasefire agreement that has come under strain following recent military exchanges. The lull follows nearly two weeks of escalating tensions triggered by Iran’s attacks on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

While Washington did not officially explain the operational pause, US officials said President Donald Trump was allowing diplomatic efforts to progress. Tehran, meanwhile, said it had suspended its attacks after the US halted strikes over the past two nights, although major issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme, remain outside the scope of the current negotiations.

Diplomacy Takes Centre Stage

The Pentagon did not respond to questions about why US operations had paused after recent strikes targeting Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure. Speaking to Fox News, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was “giving talks some space. He’s giving it a little bit of room.”

Waltz said diplomatic engagement had intensified in recent weeks, adding, “We’ve had both Oman and Iran, and a number of our other negotiators, engaged at every level, from the most senior levels all the way down to the technical level over the past few weeks, and particularly in the past few days.”

He also dismissed suggestions that US interceptor missile stockpiles used to counter Iranian attacks were running low, despite experts raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of military operations for both countries.

Iran Signals Willingness to Continue Negotiations

Iran’s army spokesperson told state television that Tehran had also halted attacks after the US suspended its strikes. In recent days, Iran had launched retaliatory attacks on countries hosting US military bases in the region, killing at least three American service members at a base in Jordan and one in Iraq.

The interim ceasefire agreement, signed in mid-June with a 60-day timeline for negotiations, has now entered its second half. However, the core issues it was intended to address, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme, have been put on hold as mediators focus on preventing further escalation.

A regional official involved in the mediation process, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to comment publicly, described the halt in hostilities as a “positive signal that helps their efforts to de-escalate”. According to the official, both Washington and Tehran remain interested in returning to the terms of the interim ceasefire, with discussions currently centred on Iran easing restrictions on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while retaining responsibility for managing vessel transit.

Shipping Security and Regional Tensions Remain

Concerns over maritime security continued despite the pause in attacks. The Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects to the Red Sea, remain under close watch after Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen threatened to block Saudi shipping routes last week. The disruption has continued to affect global energy markets, with petrol prices rising further.

A maritime organisation overseen by the US Navy reported that commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had fallen to its lowest level in three weeks on Sunday. However, it said no fresh attacks on commercial vessels had been recorded over the previous 72 hours. Traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remained steady.

Iran also confirmed that talks with Oman on ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said discussions had progressed and reiterated that the legal status of the strategically important waterway remained unchanged. Tehran maintains that the interim agreement permits it to manage shipping through the strait and has objected to US-backed proposals favouring routes closer to Omani waters. Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz was widely regarded as an international waterway.

Military Operations Continue Alongside Political Engagement

Despite the temporary pause in direct strikes, the US military said its recently reinstated naval blockade of Iran remained in effect. According to the military, 12 commercial vessels had been redirected, two had been disabled and two had been boarded during enforcement operations. It added that US forces “remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready”.

Separately, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington on Tuesday for talks with President Trump, according to his office. The leaders last met in February, weeks before the conflict with Iran escalated into a broader military campaign that killed several senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Shortly after the conflict began, the Iran-backed Hezbollah launched attacks on Israel, prompting Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon. Since then, the US has backed direct negotiations between Lebanon and Israel aimed at easing tensions and finding a framework to disarm Hezbollah.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said he “fully” supports Trump’s efforts to pressure Iran into ending its nuclear programme. “If he can do so without returning to intense military fighting, that’s fine. Why not?” he said. Netanyahu added that he intended to hear “what he has in mind, because I think in many ways, it’s his decision.” He also warned that any future attack by Iran, whether directly or through allied armed groups, “it will make a terrible mistake”.

Although the pause in hostilities has created fresh diplomatic opportunities, negotiations remain fragile as disagreements over shipping, military deployments and Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to dominate discussions.

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