U.S. President Donald Trump ordered that no new strikes be carried out against Iran in order to give a chance to diplomatic efforts led by Oman. Sources told Axios: on Friday, Trump declined to approve plans for new strikes and ordered the military to stop air raids. At the same time, the army continues preparing military scenarios in case of escalation, although it is still unclear whether the halt is temporary or a change of course for the administration.
CNN уточняет, that Vice President JD Vance and the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff raised concerns at a meeting at the White House about depleted U.S. ammunition stockpiles. The administration discussed possible escalation risks. According to Axios, Washington is refraining from strikes against Iran for the first time in two weeks—before that, attacks had continued for 13 nights in a row. CNN reports that Trump secretly instructed negotiators to continue dialogue with Tehran even amid statements about a possible large-scale offensive.
On the diplomatic front, there are signs of movement: CBS News, citing regional sources, reports that talks in Oman with Iran are progressing with the aim of resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and opening territorial waters. The sources note a positive trajectory, but more time will be needed for a final agreement. The cessation of U.S. bombing was deliberate—in order not to disrupt these direct and sensitive diplomatic contacts. On Friday, an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran to discuss unblocking the strait.
Despite the pause in airstrikes, U.S. forces say that Iran’s naval blockade is “fully maintained”—ship interceptions continue as vessels attempt to break through the cordon. U.S. Central Command reported the stopping of one ship whose crew allegedly ignored warnings in the Persian Gulf. At the same time, on Saturday there were no reports of Iranian attacks on neighboring countries, although previously they had been occurring almost every day. A senior administration official emphasized that Trump had always preferred diplomacy, but showed Iran what would happen if talks were not conducted seriously.
Regional tensions remain beyond the Persian Gulf as well. Yemen’s Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea announced an attack on facilities of Saudi Aramco in Jazan and Yanbu. Greek sources said that a U.S.-made Patriot battery operated by Greek forces in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles aimed at oil facilities in Yanbu—the kingdom’s main oil port on the Red Sea. Earlier, the Houthis said they had imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, threatening to attack all oil facilities, and claimed strikes on two Saudi oil tankers.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea, saying that an explosion killed one sailor and injured another. In turn, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised “long-range strikes” in the Caspian, saying ships carrying military cargo related to Iran were hit. Against this backdrop, regional sources report that talks in Oman with Iran are progressing, but that an agreement is still far off. CNN notes that the countries of the Persian Gulf urged the United States to exercise restraint during recent contacts with U.S. officials.
Comments on the news
Why is Oman acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran, and what is the history of its diplomatic role in the region? — Oman traditionally maintains neutrality in Middle East conflicts, maintaining good relations with both Iran and Western countries. Since the 1970s, the sultanate has played the role of an unofficial negotiator—for example, during the 2013–2015 nuclear talks—using its geographic position (control of the Strait of Hormuz) and the trust of both sides.
How are Yemen’s Houthis connected to Iran, and why are their attacks on Saudi oil targets part of a wider conflict? — The Houthis (the movement “Ansar Allah”) receive military assistance from Iran: ballistic missiles, drones, and training. Iran uses them as a proxy to pressure Saudi Arabia and its allies, as part of Tehran and Riyadh’s long-running rivalry for dominance in the region. Attacks on Saudi oil facilities are aimed at undermining its economy and weakening its position in the war in Yemen.
Why is Ukraine striking Iranian merchant ships in the Caspian Sea, and how is this connected to the alleged supply of Iranian weapons to Russia? — According to Ukrainian intelligence, Iranian vessels are used to transport components for kamikaze drones (Shahed) and other weapons to Russia via the Caspian route. By striking these ships, Ukraine is trying to disrupt this logistics chain and respond to Iran’s military support for the aggression by the Russian Federation. Iran officially denies supplying Russia with weapons.
Full version: "فرصة للدبلوماسية".. هدوء وتعليق للهجمات بين واشنطن وطهران