US and Iran hit pause on strikes for second day

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing AFP and other reports, says the United States and Iran went a second consecutive day without launching strikes after two weeks of nightly US attacks on Iran and Iranian retaliation against US allies in the Gulf. The pause, reported on Sunday, July 26, came as officials and regional actors signalled renewed attempts to create space for diplomacy.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told Fox News that President Donald Trump was allowing potential talks some room, while also saying Washington remained prepared for further action. CBS, citing two regional sources, reported that the US pause followed the arrival of an Omani delegation in Tehran. The New York Times reported that Trump also held back from escalating attacks amid concerns about US air-defence munition stocks in the Middle East. Iran’s army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Iran had stopped its retaliatory operations, while warning the conflict could expand if US attacks resumed.

Diplomatic activity appeared to focus partly on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway at the centre of the recent hostilities and a vital route for regional oil and gas exports. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said talks with Oman on managing marine traffic had been useful and that consultations were continuing. Anadolu reported that Pakistani and Qatari mediators had stepped up contacts with both sides.

Despite the pause in strikes, tensions at sea persisted. US Central Command said its naval blockade of Iran remained in effect and reported redirecting, disabling or boarding vessels for compliance. Iranian media said the Revolutionary Guard stopped six vessels with warning shots and reported that an oil tanker exploded after hitting a mine in the strait.