U.S. pauses assaults on Iran for a second straight day and Tehran does too

CAIRO — The US paused its assaults on Iran for a second straight day Sunday and Tehran mentioned it had executed so too, as efforts continued to deliver the international locations again to negotiations on an interim ceasefire deal largely undermined by current exchanges of fireplace.

It was not clear why the U.S. has paused after focusing on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure in an almost two-week escalation sparked by Iran’s firing at ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The Pentagon didn’t instantly reply to questions Sunday.

“President (Donald) Trump has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies,” White Home communications director Steven Cheung mentioned, including: “It would be wise for Iran to work toward a negotiated deal. Otherwise, they know what will happen.”

Because the U.S. has halted assaults for the previous two nights, Iran has as nicely, its military spokesperson informed Iran’s state TV on Sunday. Tehran in current days has counterattacked in opposition to international locations within the area internet hosting U.S. navy forces, killing not less than three at a base in Jordan.

A regional official calls the pause a ‘optimistic sign’

The 60-day interval that started when the interim deal was signed by each international locations in mid-June is now nicely into its second half, and main points that have been meant to be negotiated -– notably Iran’s nuclear program on the coronary heart of tensions -– stay put aside as mediators attempt to preserve either side speaking.

A regional official concerned in mediation efforts mentioned diplomacy was underway and {that a} pause in U.S. and Iranian strikes was a “positive signal that helps their efforts to de-escalate.”

The official mentioned each international locations wish to return to the interim ceasefire deal and {that a} compromise being negotiated facilities on having Iran run vessel transit by way of the Strait of Hormuz with fewer restrictions on ships. The official was not approved to debate the matter and spoke on situation of anonymity.

Considerations continued about delivery on the strait and now on one other essential waterway within the area, the Bab al-Mandeb strait to the Crimson Sea. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen final week threatened a blockade of Saudi delivery there.

International power provides and the economic system stay within the steadiness as gasoline costs have risen once more.

Iran on Sunday mentioned it continued to talk with Oman about managing the protected passage of ships on the Strait of Hormuz, which passes between the international locations. Iran’s International Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, mentioned talks had made progress and continued.

Baghaei additionally mentioned the strait’s standing remained unchanged. Tehran has asserted that the interim cope with the U.S. permits it to handle delivery on the waterway for now, and it has objected to U.S. efforts to assist a route by way of the strait that passes near Oman as a substitute.

The U.S. navy on Saturday mentioned its just lately reimposed naval blockade in opposition to Iran continued, with a dozen industrial ships redirected, two disabled and two boarded. U.S. forces “remain highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready,” it added.

A Lebanese girl clears particles of her destroyed home within the village of Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon, Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Ahmad Mantash/AP

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Ahmad Mantash/AP

Netanyahu says he ‘absolutely’ backs Trump’s efforts

In the meantime, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to journey to the USA and meet with Trump in Washington on Tuesday, his workplace has mentioned. They final met in Washington in February, weeks earlier than they launched the conflict on Iran that killed senior leaders together with Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian-backed Hezbollah fired at Israel two days after the conflict started, and Israel responded with airstrikes and floor forces in southern Lebanon. Since then, the U.S. has supported landmark direct talks between Lebanon and Israel to attempt to calm that entrance and discover a approach to disarm Hezbollah.

Netanyahu on Sunday informed Fox Information he “fully” backs Trump’s efforts to weaken Iran and press it to finish its nuclear program, including: “If he can do so without returning to intense military fighting, that’s fine. Why not?”

The prime minister indicated he wouldn’t current new data to “our good friend” Trump and as a substitute would hearken to “what he has in mind, because I think in many ways, it’s his decision.”

However Netanyahu warned that if Iran once more assaults Israel, straight or with armed proxies, “it will make a terrible mistake.”