US and Iran pause strikes for second night amid Oman-mediated talks

Jul 26, 2026

The US and Iran have paused military strikes for a second night to allow for Oman-mediated diplomatic talks regarding the Strait of Hormuz. This de-escalation follows nearly two weeks of tit-for-tat attacks, which began after an Iranian attack on tankers on July 13 broke a June ceasefire. The conflict has driven oil prices to $100 a barrel and is unpopular with the American public, according to a recent poll.

Temporary pause in hostilities

▪US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz stated the pause in attacks was to "give diplomacy more time."
▪The United States paused military strikes against Iran for a second consecutive night as of July 26, 2026.
▪US Ambassador Mike Waltz stated that President Donald Trump is "keeping all options on the table" regarding potential escalation.
▪An Iranian army spokesperson announced on July 26, 2026 that Tehran had halted "retaliatory" attacks in the region.

Oman-mediated diplomatic talks

▪Diplomatic talks between Iran and Oman focused on the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
▪Iran and Oman held several rounds of technical talks in Tehran on July 24-25, 2026.

Strait of Hormuz dispute

▪UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting plans to meet his US counterpart, Pete Hegseth, to discuss securing the Strait of Hormuz.
▪The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's key transport routes for oil, liquid natural gas, and other essential commodities.
▪Disputes over control of the Strait of Hormuz reignited US-Iran tensions in July 2026.

Escalation timeline since June

▪In June 2026, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to halt military operations and reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
▪The June 2026 ceasefire unraveled after Iranian forces attacked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on July 13, 2026, prompting renewed US airstrikes.
▪The current pause in hostilities follows nearly two weeks of daily US strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran.
▪According to Iran's health ministry, US strikes have killed dozens of people.
▪The broader US-Israeli war with Iran began in February 2026, with thousands killed across the Middle East.
▪Iran retaliated for US airstrikes with attacks on US military facilities and bases, killing four American soldiers.

Global economic impact

▪The renewed conflict has stoked fears over the security of global energy supplies.
▪Renewed fighting in the region caused oil prices to hit $100 a barrel for the first time since May 2026.

US public opinion

▪A recent CBS/YouGov poll indicates the war is largely unpopular in the United States.
▪The CBS/YouGov poll found 57% of Americans are frustrated about the conflict and 19% are optimistic.
▪US Ambassador Mike Waltz rejected reports that expanding hostilities could drain US air defence munitions stockpiles.