THE UNITED STATES AND IRAN HALT THEIR STRIKES: A PAUSE FOR TALKS

Since Friday, the United States has suspended its military strikes against Iran after thirteen consecutive nights of bombing, a pause that held for a second and then a third straight day. Donald Trump ordered the halt, which the White House presented as room left for diplomacy. Iran, through its military spokesman Mohammad Akraminia, confirms it has stopped its own retaliatory operations as long as the American pause holds, on a reciprocal basis. Tehran nonetheless officially denies any direct negotiation with Washington, its foreign affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stating that no talks are under way, despite Qatari and Pakistani mediation reported around the Strait of Hormuz issue.