The United States and Iran both paused attacks on Sunday, marking the second straight day of cessation. Efforts are continuing to bring the countries back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.
US ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated that President Trump paused attacks to allow more time for diplomacy. American officials added that plans to escalate the fighting were put off in part because of dwindling stockpiles of interceptor missiles, as there are worries that expanded hostilities could dangerously drain diminished air defense munitions in the Middle East.
Esmail Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said that talks have made progress and continued. Despite this, questions remain regarding whether the current calm marks a turning point or merely a temporary break in a conflict that has lasted nearly five months.