US, Iran Pause Strikes for Third Day as Ceasefire Talks Resume

(WS News) – The United States and Iran have paused military strikes against each other for a third straight day, as diplomats work to give renewed ceasefire negotiations “some space” following nearly two weeks of American attacks on Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure.

The pause follows an escalation sparked by Iranian attacks on ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, which unraveled a temporary ceasefire that had already been undermined by repeated exchanges of fire. It remains unclear exactly why the pause began, though reports indicate senior Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Dan Caine, had expressed concerns about escalating the campaign further, in part over the state of US munitions stockpiles. White House communications director Steven Cheung said President Trump “has always been consistent in saying he prefers a diplomatic solution,” while adding that Washington retains all options if Iran continues what officials describe as “terrorist activities” in the strait or against US allies.

The US military said its naval blockade against Iran remains in place, with a dozen commercial ships redirected and several others disabled or boarded in recent days as forces continue patrolling the waterway. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington to meet with President Trump, their first meeting since February, shortly before the two countries launched their war against Iran that killed senior Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Tensions have also spilled into neighboring conflicts, with Iran-backed Hezbollah striking Israel in the early days of the war and Houthi rebels in Yemen separately targeting Saudi oil sites along the Red Sea coast. Despite the pause in fighting, ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains far below prewar levels, underscoring how fragile the current calm remains as both sides weigh their next moves.