Mediators have reported progress in efforts to reinstate negotiations between the United States and Iran following a pause in attacks after a period of heightened tensions, regional officials said Monday. Despite the temporary lull in direct confrontations between Tehran and Washington, sporadic attacks by various armed groups across the region have continued, highlighting ongoing instability.
Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq that targeted its petroleum infrastructure. At the same time, Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on Saudi oil facilities, though it remains unclear whether this was the same incident referenced by Riyadh. Additional drone assaults were reported against a Kurdish Iranian dissident group in Iraq, while Jordan said it had shot down two unidentified drones without specifying their origin. No casualties or significant damage were reported in these attacks.
Neither the U.S. nor Iran has confirmed carrying out any strikes for three days, marking a temporary respite after nearly two weeks of intensive exchanges that had raised fears of a broader conflict. The recent escalation began when Iran fired upon vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global oil supplies. The U.S. responded with airstrikes targeting Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure. In retaliation, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on countries hosting American forces, leading to at least four U.S. service member deaths—three in Jordan and one in Iraq.
President Donald Trump acknowledged that Iran had sought further discussions, attributing the outreach to the pressure exerted by U.S. military actions. He indicated that talks were ongoing with a possibility of progress but did not guarantee an outcome. Iran, through its Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, confirmed that messages from the U.S. had been conveyed via mediators but emphasized that no direct negotiations were taking place. Baghaei noted recent bilateral discussions between Iran and Oman, the country across the Strait of Hormuz, aimed at establishing mechanisms to regulate shipping through the waterway in a manner that respects the sovereignty and security concerns of both countries. Tehran maintains that the strait remains closed under current terms, asserting its right to manage traffic and potentially charge fees, a stance that contrasts with U.S. support for alternative routes near Oman.
Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan have been facilitating talks between Washington and Tehran to revive an interim ceasefire agreement that collapsed amid the recent hostilities. One regional official described the progress as “significant” and mentioned efforts to coordinate with Oman to manage vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S. military confirmed that its naval blockade against Iran continues, with several commercial vessels redirected or boarded. The 60-day interim agreement reached in June is now well past its halfway point, with major issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, set aside as mediators seek to maintain tentative dialogue.
Beyond the Strait of Hormuz, concern is mounting over the Bab al-Mandeb strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea. The Houthis have threatened to block Saudi shipping lanes there and have recently fired on a Saudi tanker, causing a fire. These developments have contributed to increased volatility in regional maritime routes critical to global energy supplies, with gasoline prices rising amid the uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced plans to meet President Trump in Washington on Tuesday, underscoring continued diplomatic engagements in the broader regional context.
The situation remains fluid, as both sides weigh the costs of continued conflict and the potential for renewed negotiations, while proxy groups and regional actors sustain a complex web of confrontations across the Middle East.