Trump Pauses Iran Strikes to Pursue Diplomatic Deal

President Donald Trump suspended a 13-day bombing campaign against Iran over the weekend of July 25-27, 2026, to create space for diplomatic negotiations. The conflict originally escalated after Iran fired at ships in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting U.S. strikes on Iranian coastal infrastructure and Iranian counterattacks on U.S. bases in Jordan and Iraq that killed four service members. While Trump claimed the U.S. is having "good talks" with Iran, the Iranian Foreign Ministry denied that direct negotiations are occurring, asserting that communications are limited to mediators.

Regional mediators, including Oman, Qatar, and Pakistan, are working to revive a June memorandum of understanding. Discussions are focused on the management of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's nuclear program, and frozen funds. While Iran has ceased retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to most traffic.

The military pause triggered a global stock market rally and a significant drop in oil prices, with Brent crude falling from over $100 to below $88 per barrel. However, regional instability persists. Houthi rebels and Iran-backed groups in Iraq launched drone attacks against Saudi Arabian petroleum facilities and the East-West Pipeline. In Washington, Trump is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss strategies for weakening Iran.