Iran and the United States held back from launching fresh attacks on Sunday, raising hopes that months of escalating hostilities could give way to renewed diplomatic efforts.
The temporary lull brought some relief to global oil markets and Gulf shipping routes after both sides signalled a willingness to allow negotiations to continue.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was giving diplomacy “a little bit of room” to work, even as American forces remained on high alert across the region.
Iran also confirmed it had suspended retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East after Washington refrained from carrying out military strikes for a second straight night.
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said the United States halted its attacks two nights earlier, prompting Tehran to pause its own military response.
The pause follows nearly two weeks of sustained US strikes on Iranian targets, the most intense fighting since the collapse of an April ceasefire.
What began around the strategic Strait of Hormuz has since expanded to include attacks on US military bases, commercial shipping and regional allies.
Unverified reports in Iranian media also claimed that an oil tanker struck a sea mine on Sunday, although there was no immediate independent confirmation.
The break in hostilities has fuelled hopes that diplomatic talks could resume.
However, some US media outlets suggested the slowdown may have been influenced by concerns over dwindling supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles and other defensive weapons.
Waltz dismissed those reports, insisting the US military has adequate resources to continue operations if required.
Attention is now turning to Tuesday’s meeting at the White House, where Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to discuss Iran’s nuclear programme with President Trump.
In an interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said he supported efforts to stop Iran’s nuclear ambitions, whether through negotiations or military action.
“If it can be achieved without returning to intense military fighting, that’s fine. Why not? But one way or another, they have to end their nuclear programme,” he said.
President Trump said on Friday that he had yet to decide whether to resume a broader military campaign, adding that negotiations with Tehran were becoming increasingly serious.
The conflict, which Trump initially predicted would last only a few weeks, is now approaching its fifth month, creating growing political pressure ahead of the US midterm elections in November.
Meanwhile, tensions persisted elsewhere in the region. Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed they had shot down a Saudi drone over northwestern Yemen, a day after announcing missile and drone attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu.
The Houthis said the latest attacks were carried out in retaliation for Saudi airstrikes on their positions on Friday.
