TEHRAN, July 27– Direct hostilities between the United States and Iran showed easing signs after both sides reportedly paused strikes on each other, and diplomatic efforts continued over the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
PAUSE IN CONFLICT
The U.S. military has paused strikes on Iran, local media reported on Saturday, though explanations for the halt remain divergent. CBS News, citing two regional sources, said Washington had suspended attacks to avoid disrupting an Omani delegation’s visit to Tehran for talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Separately, The New York Times reported that U.S. President Donald Trump had set aside plans for a sharp escalation after senior advisers warned of dwindling U.S. air-defense stocks. Iran, meanwhile, said on Sunday that it had halted retaliatory attacks after the United States stopped its strikes on the country for the past two nights. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said mediation with Washington were continuing through mediators including Pakistan and Qatar, but stressed that direct dialogue could only occur on “proper ground,” noting that the United States had destroyed such a ground.
HORMUZ SECURITY
Baghaei said Sunday that Iran and Oman had held “fruitful” talks on managing safe shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, with some progress achieved. During the talks in Tehran, the two sides discussed ensuring maritime safety while observing the sovereign rights of their countries as coastal states, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Baghaei added that there had been no change regarding maritime traffic in the strait. The diplomatic efforts also involved other regional actors. Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a phone call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud on Sunday to discuss regional developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions. Sheikh Mohammed emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, the implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace memorandum of understanding, and freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
EMERGING FLASHPOINTS
Meanwhile, regional security risks remained. Iran said a Ukrainian attack on an Iranian commercial vessel in the Caspian Sea killed one sailor and injured three others, as Ukraine said its forces had targeted Russian vessels linked to Iran-related military cargo.In the Red Sea, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a security incident near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after a tanker observed a splash from an unknown projectile, adding to concerns over the safety of key maritime routes.
Xinhua
