Mediators report progress towards restarting US-Iran talks

Regional mediators say progress is being made towards bringing the United States and Iran back to negotiations after both sides paused attacks.

Neither country reported launching strikes for three days, offering a respite after roughly two weeks of bombardment and growing fears of a return to all-out war. Officials told the Associated Press that Qatar and Pakistan were working to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran and revive an interim ceasefire arrangement.

One official described the progress as significant. Talks involving Iran and Oman are also exploring a mechanism for safely managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies and a flashpoint in the recent escalation.

This matters because even a temporary pause protects lives and creates space for diplomacy. Safer passage through the strait would also reduce risks to crews and the global economy.

The situation remains fragile. Iran says there are no direct negotiations, the waterway remains closed, and drone attacks by armed groups continued elsewhere in the region. Progress is real, but a durable agreement has not yet been reached.