Hopes of return to diplomacy as US-Iran hold fire for third day

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Associated Press reporting and its own correspondent in Doha, says mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan are trying to revive diplomacy between the United States and Iran as both sides kept a halt in direct hostilities for a third day. The pause follows a nearly two-week escalation that began after Iran fired on ships near the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil shipments, and was followed by US strikes on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure.

US President Donald Trump told reporters that Washington was speaking with Tehran and said Iran had sought a meeting through intermediaries and directly. Iran’s Foreign Ministry denied requesting renewed peace talks, saying mediators may be carrying US messages but that no direct negotiations are under way. Al Jazeera reported that officials familiar with closed-door efforts described continuing message exchanges, while warning that the situation remains fragile.

The report says Iran responded to US attacks with missile and drone strikes in countries hosting US troops, killing at least three service members in Jordan and one in Iraq. Tehran-linked drone attacks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq have also raised concern that Iran or allied armed groups are testing Washington’s posture despite the current pause. Trump also rejected suggestions that interceptor shortages were driving the halt, saying US Patriot stocks were being replenished.

A central dispute remains control and transit rules in the Strait of Hormuz. A mid-June memorandum had briefly stopped fighting, but differing interpretations later emerged. Iran wants shipping routed closer to its coast and insists on tolls, while Oman has suggested a voluntary payment mechanism. CENTCOM said it redirected 17 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two others as part of enforcement measures linked to the US blockade on Iran.