The United States has paused military strikes on Iran for a second consecutive night, as diplomatic efforts to avert a full-scale war continue. Donald Trump is reportedly weighing both diplomatic and military options in the nearly five-month-old conflict, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expected to visit the White House on Tuesday. Netanyahu has been a vocal critic of Washington’s ongoing negotiations with Iranian leaders.
The pause comes after US military chiefs warned the White House that munitions stockpiles were running low, raising concerns about the sustainability of sustained aerial bombardment. The administration is now facing difficult choices as it balances military pressure with the risk of a broader regional conflagration. Talks mediated by Oman have been advancing, with a potential deal to secure the Strait of Hormuz — a vital oil transit chokepoint — emerging as a key focus of diplomatic efforts.
According to reports from the Financial Times, Omani diplomats have been shuttling between Tehran and Washington to broker a temporary arrangement that would keep the strait open and de-escalate tensions. The strait, through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes, has become a flashpoint in the conflict after Iranian forces threatened to disrupt maritime traffic in response to US and Israeli strikes.
The New York Times has reported that Trump is holding off on a major escalation as advisers raise concerns about the cost and duration of a prolonged campaign. The president is said to be frustrated with the pace of military progress and is increasingly looking for a diplomatic off-ramp that would allow him to claim a victory without committing to an extended ground war. Some within the administration have argued that a negotiated settlement could preserve US credibility while avoiding the quagmire that military planners have warned against.
The conflict began in March 2026 after a series of escalating incidents involving Iranian-backed militia attacks on US bases in Iraq and Syria, followed by a US retaliatory strike that killed a senior Iranian commander. Iran responded by launching ballistic missiles at an Israeli military installation, triggering a cycle of retaliation that has so far killed hundreds of soldiers and civilians on both sides. Israel has conducted dozens of airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, while the US has contributed naval firepower and air support.
The humanitarian toll has been severe. International aid organisations report that more than 200,000 people have been displaced in southwestern Iran, and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and power plants, has been damaged in several provinces. In Israel, rocket attacks have forced thousands of residents in border communities to shelter in bomb shelters for extended periods. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire, but previous attempts at mediation by Qatar and Turkey failed to achieve a lasting truce.
Netanyahu’s upcoming visit to Washington is expected to be tense. The Israeli leader has publicly argued that any deal with Iran would be a mistake, warning that Tehran would use a pause in hostilities to rebuild its military capabilities and resume its nuclear programme. He is expected to press Trump for continued military support and to resist any agreement that does not include dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have signalled that they are open to talks but have insisted on a full cessation of strikes and the lifting of sanctions as a precondition for any negotiation.
The economic implications of the conflict have also been significant. Global oil prices have surged by more than 30 percent since March, stoking inflationary pressures worldwide. The disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, though partial, has already led to higher shipping insurance premiums and delays in crude deliveries to European and Asian markets. The International Energy Agency has warned that a prolonged closure of the strait could tip the global economy into a recession.
As the pause in strikes enters its second day, the diplomatic window remains fragile. US officials have emphasised that the halt is not a ceasefire and that operations could resume if talks break down. However, the fact that both sides have refrained from major military action for 48 hours suggests a mutual interest in exploring a negotiated outcome. Whether that interest can translate into a sustainable agreement remains uncertain, but for now, the sound of diplomatic conversations has briefly drowned out the roar of warplanes over the Persian Gulf.
