Iran halts retaliatory strikes as Trump pauses US attacks to give diplomacy ‘a little bit of room’

TEHRAN, IRAN: The United States and Iran appeared to take a step back from further military escalation on Monday, July 27, after Tehran announced it had halted retaliatory attacks against Washington's allies and President Donald Trump's administration signaled it was giving diplomacy another chance.

The pause marked the first significant break in fighting after nearly two weeks of consecutive US strikes on Iran, raising cautious hopes that negotiations could resume.

Trump gives diplomacy 'a little bit of room'

Iran's army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said Tehran had suspended retaliatory operations as tensions eased.

"Since... our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations," Akraminia said.

At the same time, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said Trump was leaving room for diplomacy despite American forces remaining ready for any further escalation.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Waltz said US forces were still "locked and loaded," but added that Trump wanted to give negotiations "a little bit of room."

The pause followed 13 consecutive nights of US strikes on Iran before military action stopped on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.

Oil prices fall as fighting slows

The slowdown in fighting immediately eased pressure on global energy markets.

Brent crude fell by more than seven percent at one stage on Monday, briefly dropping below $90 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate slipped four percent to $85.45 as investors welcomed the reduced risk of further disruption in the Gulf.

Reports suggesting the pause could be linked to US weapons supplies were rejected by both the White House and Waltz. 

"We have far more munitions than anyone in the world, and far more than we need," Trump told The Wall Street Journal.

Waltz also dismissed the claims, saying, "I want to be crystal clear. The US military -- and I've verified this every which way -- has everything that it needs to conduct this campaign as effectively as it needs to be."

Netanyahu backs pressure as talks remain uncertain

The military pause comes just ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's expected White House visit on Tuesday, where Iran's nuclear programme is likely to remain a central issue.

Speaking to Fox News, Netanyahu said he supported Trump's efforts to stop Iran's nuclear programme.

"If he can do so without returning to intense military fighting, that's fine. Why not? But one way or the other, they have to end their nuclear programme, and with a deal or without a deal, that has to come to an end," he said.

Trump also suggested talks with Tehran were continuing.

"We're talking to them right now. I think they're getting more and more serious," he told reporters on Friday.

While the pause has revived hopes of diplomacy, tensions remain across the region, with Iran-backed Houthi rebels continuing attacks linked to the wider conflict.