The United States has paused strikes on Iran for a second consecutive day, with diplomatic talks reported to be moving in a positive direction (CBS News; CNN).
Iran’s military said it had halted retaliatory attacks against US allies in the region after Washington stopped its strikes for two nights, following a run of 13 consecutive nights of American raids. Iran’s army said it remained on high alert alongside the country’s other armed forces and would respond more forcefully to any resumption (CBS News; Iran International).
President Donald Trump is giving the talks “some space”, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told Fox News (Fox News).
Markets have responded. Brent crude has fallen back under $100 a barrel, dipping around four per cent to roughly $96 (CBS News).
The waterway itself has not reopened. Fewer than ten commodity ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, against more than 100 commercial vessels on a typical pre-war day (CBS News).
The unresolved question remains sovereignty over the strait. Washington has continued to insist that Iran “does not control” the waterway, while Tehran maintains that the June memorandum of understanding gave it authority over transit (RFE/RL).
Oman and Iran have been talking about reopening the strait and their respective territorial waters, with regional sources reporting progress but cautioning that the diplomacy needs more time. Pakistan and Qatar remain the principal channels between Washington and Tehran, with a 10-day truce proposal still on the table.
