Overview
- Washington abruptly suspended a recent two-week air campaign to pursue mediated talks with Tehran and keep military options open.
- President Trump says talks are "good" and that there is a real chance of a deal, warning that strikes would resume if diplomacy fails.
- Iran’s foreign ministry denies it formally asked for negotiations and says messages are being relayed through mediators rather than direct requests.
- Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Iraq reported drone attacks that appear to test the pause, and markets reacted with a sharp drop in oil prices on reduced near-term strike risk.
- U.S. military advisers reportedly told the White House the bombing had reached diminishing returns and raised munitions concerns, a claim Trump rejects as he says stocks are ample; control of transit through the Strait of Hormuz remains a central unresolved issue.