CAIRO — The United States and Iran extended a mutual pause in military strikes on Sunday as mediators sought to revive negotiations and preserve a fragile interim ceasefire after nearly two weeks of escalating hostilities centered on the Strait of Hormuz.
Neither side reported new attacks for a second consecutive day. Iranian officials said Tehran would continue to refrain from retaliatory action as long as the United States maintained its suspension of airstrikes, while U.S. officials said the pause was intended to give diplomacy additional time.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said President Donald Trump was allowing negotiations "some space" and that talks involving Oman, Iran and other intermediaries were continuing at multiple levels. The White House has maintained that the United States still retains military options should diplomacy fail.
Iranian officials said indirect exchanges with Washington were continuing through mediators, while stressing that Tehran viewed the current halt in fighting as conditional rather than permanent. A senior Iranian official described Iran's position as "attack for attack," indicating that any renewed U.S. strikes would likely trigger a response.
Oman has continued to play a central mediating role, seeking agreement on shipping arrangements in and around the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy transit routes. Diplomats have also been working to restore momentum behind an interim ceasefire framework that was weakened by the latest exchanges of fire and longstanding disputes over Iran's nuclear program and maritime security.
The recent escalation began after attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes against Iranian targets and retaliatory action by Tehran. The violence disrupted regional shipping and heightened concerns over global energy supplies, although oil prices eased as markets reacted to the continued lull in fighting.
The United Nations has previously urged all parties to exercise maximum restraint and preserve the ceasefire, warning that renewed confrontation could further destabilize the region and undermine diplomatic efforts.
As of Sunday, officials from both sides had confirmed no formal agreement beyond the current pause, and negotiations through regional mediators remained ongoing. Neither Washington nor Tehran announced a timetable for resuming direct talks or any additional military measures.
