Iran Says It Will Halt Strikes as Long as US Pause Continues
Key Takeaways
- •The United States paused strikes on Iran after 13 days, and Iran said it would halt operations if US attacks stop.
- •Oil traders are monitoring the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz for any renewed disruption to energy shipments.
- •Reports said US concerns included declining interceptor supplies and a diminishing number of targets in Iran.
- •Oman is attempting to support new talks and held discussions with Iran on managing navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.
- •Houthi strikes on major Saudi oil infrastructure continue to keep regional energy-security risks in focus.
The conflict involving Iran shifted over the weekend after the United States halted strikes following 13 days of attacks, while Iran said it would maintain a ceasefire as long as the US pause remains in place.
The developments have raised hopes for a de-escalation and are expected to weigh on the opening tone in the oil market. Crude prices had already dipped on Friday, suggesting some of the pause may have been priced in before the weekend. Energy traders are closely watching any signs of renewed disruption around the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz is a key transit route for global oil and fuel shipments.
The United States did not publicly state its reason for halting the strikes. However, reports said Washington was concerned about depleting its interceptor supplies and was also running out of targets to strike in Iran.
"He's giving talks some space, he's giving it a little but of room," the US ambassador to the UN said on Fox News Sunday.
Another report cited General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who cautioned President Donald Trump on Friday that additional attacks would have negative effects on US munitions, including interceptors.
On the Iranian side, there remains skepticism that the pause will hold. However, an Iranian official cited by Reuters said that if US attacks stop, Iran will halt its operations. The official also said that message had been conveyed to the United States.
Other reports said Oman is attempting to convene fresh talks and is seeking a path under which Iran could “control” the Strait of Hormuz in a less restrictive way. Oman has previously served as a diplomatic channel between Iran and Western governments, making its role in any renewed talks a focal point for investors and policymakers monitoring escalation risks.
The deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Oman met in Tehran on Friday and Saturday to discuss the management of maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Islamic Republic Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Telegram.
At the same time, the escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis remains notable after the Houthis struck major oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, keeping regional energy-security risks in focus even as the US-Iran pause holds.