Iran announced that it has suspended its retaliatory operations against US allies in the Middle East, following the US halt to attacks on the country for the last two nights. Iranian military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said, "These attacks were continuing until two nights ago, but for the last two nights the Americans have stopped their strikes." Akraminia said, "Because our strategy is essentially retaliation-focused, we have also stopped our retaliation operations."
Diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran had been derailed by clashes in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The conflict later expanded to include attacks on US bases, regional shipping, and Gulf allies. The recent calm, following about two weeks of relentless US bombardment, has revived hopes for a return to negotiations.
US media reported that the lull might also reflect pressure on stockpiles of Patriot interceptors and other defensive weapons. CNN, citing an unnamed Pentagon source, reported that US operations against Iran had been "suspended." The development came just after US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a much higher level of attacks.
The New York Times, citing two people familiar with the matter, wrote that plans to escalate the operation were shelved partly due to dwindling ammunition stockpiles. According to the newspaper, Trump also faces the risk of a wider Middle East war, the alienation of vulnerable Gulf allies, and new shocks to the global economy.
According to CNN, Vice President JD Vance and senior US General Dan Caine voiced concerns about escalation during a meeting at the White House on Friday. Caine warned Trump that the military could successfully carry out existing options but cautioned against possible consequences.
The Iranian military, in a statement on Sunday, warned that if the US resumes attacks before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington on Tuesday, the war will expand further.
Trump told reporters on Friday that he had not yet decided whether to turn it into an all-out operation. "Right now we are talking to them. I think they are getting more and more serious," Trump said, adding that Iran must choose between a deal and "much higher level" of attacks.
As the war that Trump once predicted would last four or five weeks approaches its fifth month, it is putting pressure on the Republican president's approval ratings ahead of crucial midterm elections in November.
According to Axios, the Pentagon presented Trump with a plan for a 14th night of strikes, but the president did not approve it, citing the need to prioritize negotiation efforts.
Meanwhile, life returned to normal in the Iranian capital Tehran. An AFP correspondent reported that Tehranis trying to get to work in the heatwave-hit city encountered heavy traffic; shops and restaurants were open as usual.
New front in Yemen
The fighting meanwhile spilled over into a new front. Iran-backed Houthis announced on Sunday that they had shot down a Saudi drone in northwestern Yemen. The claim came a day after the Yemeni group said it had attacked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, the Houthis claimed to have struck Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu in retaliation for Riyadh's bombing of Houthi targets on Friday. The Greek air force media office reported that a surface-to-air battery operated by Greek personnel in Saudi Arabia shot down two ballistic missiles and a drone over Yanbu.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran could not be held responsible for the escalation and offered to mediate between the Houthis and Riyadh, saying "there is no military solution."
According to Iran's state television, Iranian armed forces stopped six vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours after warning them. Tehran's effective blockade of the waterway remains at the heart of tensions with Washington.
Iran announced progress with neighboring Oman on "joint principles and operational mechanisms" regarding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. In June, Oman and Iran had announced they would discuss introducing a service fee; Washington objected, but Muscat angered Tehran by saying ships could pass through the strait via Omani territorial waters.
