The United States and Iran suspended military strikes for a second consecutive day on Sunday, as mediators intensified efforts to bring both sides back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire agreement that has been severely undermined by recent exchanges of fire.
It remains unclear why Washington halted its campaign after nearly two weeks of strikes targeting Iranian coastal positions and infrastructure. The escalation began after Iran attacked commercial vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was allowing diplomacy an opportunity to progress.
"He's giving talks some space. He's giving it a little bit of room," Waltz told Fox News. He added that Oman, Iran and other mediators had been engaged in negotiations "at every level" over recent weeks, particularly in the past few days.
Waltz also dismissed suggestions that the US was running low on interceptor missiles used to defend against Iranian attacks, although military analysts have questioned how long either side can sustain prolonged hostilities.
Iran's military spokesperson told state television that Tehran had also suspended attacks during the past two nights following the US pause.
In recent days, Iran launched retaliatory strikes against countries hosting US military bases, killing at least three American service members in Jordan and one in Iraq.
The 60-day interim agreement signed by both countries in mid-June has now entered its second half, but key issues—most notably Iran's nuclear programme—remain unresolved as diplomats focus on preserving the ceasefire framework.
A regional official involved in mediation efforts described the suspension of hostilities as a positive development.
"The pause in US and Iranian strikes is a positive signal that helps efforts to de-escalate," the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the talks.
According to the official, both Washington and Tehran are seeking to return to the ceasefire arrangement. Negotiations are reportedly focused on allowing Iran to oversee shipping through the Strait of Hormuz while easing restrictions on commercial vessels.
Concerns persist over maritime security in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen last week threatened to blockade Saudi shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb, raising fresh concerns over global energy supplies as fuel prices continue to rise.
A US Navy-supervised maritime monitoring body said commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had fallen to its lowest level in three weeks, although no new attacks had been confirmed over the previous 72 hours. Shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb remained steady.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said discussions with Oman on ensuring the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz were continuing.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said progress had been made during the talks and reiterated that Iran's position on the strategic waterway remained unchanged.
Tehran maintains that the interim agreement gives it authority to manage shipping through the strait and has opposed US efforts to promote an alternative route passing closer to Oman's waters. Before the conflict, the strait was regarded as an international waterway.
The US military said on Saturday that its reinstated naval blockade of Iran remained in force, adding that 12 commercial vessels had been redirected, two disabled and another two boarded.
"US forces remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal and ready," the military said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to travel to Washington on Tuesday for talks with Trump, according to his office.
The two leaders last met in February, weeks before the conflict with Iran escalated.
Netanyahu told Fox News that he fully supported 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.
The Israeli leader said he intended to hear Trump's plans rather than present new proposals.
"I think, in many ways, it's his decision," Netanyahu said.
He warned, however, that any future attack by Iran or its regional allies against Israel would be "a terrible mistake".