Daijiworld Media Network – Tehran
Tehran, Jul 27: Iran and the United States refrained from launching fresh attacks for a second consecutive night, offering temporary relief to Gulf shipping and global energy markets as both sides signalled a possible return to negotiations.
Iran said it had suspended retaliatory strikes against US allies in West Asia after Washington halted its attacks, which had continued for 13 consecutive nights before the current pause.
Iranian Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said the United States had stopped its attacks over the past two nights and that Tehran had also halted its retaliatory operations in response.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Donald Trump was giving diplomacy "a little bit of room" while maintaining that American forces remained prepared for military action if required.
The fighting had intensified around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, disrupting diplomatic efforts and expanding to attacks on US military bases, regional shipping and Gulf allies. Unconfirmed Iranian media reports on Sunday claimed that an oil tanker had been damaged by a sea mine.
Despite speculation in some US media that the pause reflected pressure on American stocks of Patriot interceptor missiles and other defensive weapons, Waltz denied the reports, insisting the US military possessed all the resources required to continue operations if necessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to visit the White House on Tuesday, where he is expected to urge President Trump to maintain a firm stance on Iran, particularly over its nuclear programme.
Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said he supported efforts to end Iran's nuclear programme through diplomacy if possible but insisted it must be dismantled "with a deal or without a deal".
The New York Times reported that plans to intensify the US military campaign had been put on hold partly because of concerns over shrinking munitions supplies, citing people familiar with the matter.
President Trump said on Friday that no decision had been taken on whether to resume large-scale military operations, adding that ongoing discussions suggested Iran was becoming more serious about negotiations.
While the military situation remained calm, tensions persisted elsewhere in the region. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Sunday that they had shot down a Saudi drone a day after announcing attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, following Saudi airstrikes on Houthi targets.
The conflict, now approaching its fifth month, continues to raise concerns over regional stability, global energy security and broader geopolitical tensions.