US Halts Its Strikes on Iran as Both Sides Signal Talks
The United States paused its bombing of Iran overnight for the first time in nearly two weeks, and both sides signalled a willingness to negotiate. Iran reported “a peaceful night” after thirteen consecutive nights of American strikes, while President Trump said Tehran was “talking to us right now” and that he was “willing to listen”. Messages have reportedly been exchanged through mediators.
The apparent lull marked a shift from Mr Trump’s insistence a day earlier that Iran “needed more of the same”, and from his threats of a “massive attack”. Iran’s foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, nonetheless accused Washington of violating an earlier understanding by opening shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz that bypass Iranian oversight. The United States said it had disabled a tanker on Friday and had redirected a dozen vessels since resuming its naval blockade. Whether the pause holds, or proves a brief interlude, will turn on the mediated contacts. Watch for confirmation of formal talks — or a resumption of strikes.