The US paused its almost two‑week run of strikes against Iran for a second night, even as American forces continued Washington's naval blockade of Iranian ports.
The US has held off attacking Iran since Friday night after striking for 13 days. It has done so without any explanation or announcement. Iranian media and government have not reported any incoming attacks either.
The pause in fighting has raised questions about President Donald Trump's Iran strategy. Analysts say the president is pausing the strikes to give ceasefire negotiations more time. They also recognize, however, that the escalation may not be enough to compel Tehran to end its hostilities.
"Intensifying the campaign does not guarantee that Iran will become more compliant or agree to more significant concessions," Danny Citrinowicz, a senior researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies, posted on X. The "expanding diplomatic efforts around the crisis" have "added further constraints," he said.
Iran has also stopped its retaliatory attacks since the US has not carried out strikes on the country, Al Jazeera English reported, citing Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia.
Omani officials traveled to Tehran this weekend to discuss the crucial issue of Strait of Hormuz navigation. The ceasefire agreed in mid-June collapsed after Iranian attacks against commercial vessels in the critical waterway.
Trump Prefers Diplomacy
Trump has consistently said he "prefers a diplomatic solution, but he continues to retain all options if Iran continues terrorist activities in the Strait of Hormuz or against allies," White House spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. It would be "wise for Iran to work toward a negotiated deal."
Brent crude closed on Friday at $96.78 a barrel. It has climbed around 27% in the past two weeks as US-Iran clashes worsened.
Kpler, a global commodities analytics firm, now expects the Strait of Hormuz to remain closed until 2027. This is a longer disruption than markets had priced for the world's most critical oil chokepoint.
The firm's research commodity director, Matt Smith, told CNBC that five months of conflict have left "no endgame in sight." This could keep crude elevated well into next year.
Trump Wants Diplomacy
The US struck Iranian targets and reimposed its naval blockade in response to Iran's attacks on commercial shipping. Tehran responded by striking US military bases and critical infrastructure in Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait.
US naval forces have diverted 12 commercial vessels attempting to breach the blockade as of July 25, Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Saturday. They have halted the movement of two vessels that failed to comply with orders. It boarded two vessels to ensure full compliance.
Earlier Saturday, US forces completed a boarding operation to verify the status of the M/T Charminar tanker flying the flag of the Comoros in the Arabian Sea. On Friday, Central Command forces halted the movement of the M/T Lavine tanker flying the flag of Mozambique in the Gulf of Oman.
The M/T Lavine "crew attempted to violate the blockade multiple times and ignored repeated warnings," CENTCOM said. "The vessel is no longer headed to Iran."
Iran Warns UK
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the UK or any other country supporting the US in the war would become a legitimate military target. Speaking to Tasnim, IRGC Spokesman Brigadier General Hossein Mohebbi said Iran has prepared specific scenarios for any possible development.
The warning came after Axios reported that the US and the UK are planning to convene a high-level meeting in London next week. The meeting will focus on a potential international coalition to protect maritime shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers met in Tehran on Friday and Saturday to discuss the management of Hormuz, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Telegram.
"The talks were constructive and some progress was made," Baghaei said, without giving details. He said technical and political consultations were ongoing and there had been no change in the status of traffic through the strait.
