A fragile calm has prevailed between Iran and the United States for a third consecutive night, as direct military strikes between the two sides remain suspended. The lull comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about “very deep” negotiations with Tehran and ongoing regional and international diplomatic efforts to find a way out of the confrontation.
Although no formal ceasefire or agreement has been announced, the halt in military operations alongside continued diplomatic contacts has raised questions about whether the current phase represents an undeclared de-escalation or a temporary pause pending the outcome of negotiations.
The relative calm follows 13 consecutive nights of U.S. strikes on Iran, which Tehran said it answered by targeting American bases and interests across the region before both sides ceased carrying out new direct attacks.
Chinese Initiative and Technical Consultations
In a new development, sources said an Iranian technical delegation is in China to examine a Chinese proposal before it is presented to the United States.
According to the sources, the delegation is reviewing the proposal’s details before submitting it to Washington, though neither its contents nor the stage of the consultations has been disclosed.
While this does not indicate that a final agreement has been reached, it suggests that diplomatic channels remain active in parallel with the suspension of military operations.
Previous reports indicated that China and Pakistan have been seeking to reopen communication channels between Washington and Tehran after earlier mediation efforts stalled.
Trump Sees Opportunity for Progress
President Trump said the United States is engaged in “very deep” talks with Iran and believes there is an opportunity to achieve a positive outcome. At the same time, he warned that Washington is prepared to take “strong military action” if negotiations fail.
He added that discussions with Tehran are progressing well and that a breakthrough remains possible, without providing details about the nature of the contacts or the issues under discussion.
Tehran Links Calm to End of U.S. Strikes
A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran would refrain from further operations as long as the United States halts its strikes, stressing that Tehran continues to adhere to a “strike-for-strike” policy.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also denied reports that Tehran had requested the resumption of negotiations with Washington, insisting that its official position remains unchanged.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran remains committed to its stated positions while reaffirming the country’s right to self-defense, without announcing any new military measures.
Revolutionary Guard: Not an All-Out War
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) described the current confrontation as a response to U.S. aggression rather than a full-scale war, saying Iranian attacks targeted American military sites and facilities in retaliation for strikes against Iran.
The IRGC added that any continuation of operations depends on future U.S. actions and that Tehran is closely monitoring developments.
Calm Without a Formal Agreement
Despite the suspension of direct attacks, there is still no official ceasefire, joint declaration, or agreement outlining commitments by either side or mechanisms for addressing potential violations.
Washington views the current pause as an opportunity to advance diplomacy, while Tehran says the de-escalation depends on the United States refraining from further strikes.
The key issues that triggered the escalation—including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions, mutual guarantees, and the security of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz—remain unresolved.
Although there are no clear signs of an imminent agreement, the halt in hostilities, combined with ongoing diplomatic contacts and mediation efforts, has temporarily shifted the confrontation from the battlefield to the negotiating table.
AFP
