Trump halted Iran attacks to allow diplomacy, says US envoy

President Donald Trump halted airstrikes against Iran to create an opening for diplomatic talks, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said Sunday. "It gives diplomacy some breathing room," Waltz told Fox News, without providing further details on the discussions. The mutual attacks between Iran and the U.S. ceased over the weekend. The Pentagon stopped its bombing campaign after 13 consecutive nights of strikes, and no reports emerged of Iran attacking U.S. allies in neighboring countries.

A senior Trump administration official indicated that while the president "always made it clear he preferred diplomacy, he showed Iran what would happen if they didn't come to the negotiating table with a serious intention." Iran announced Sunday it had suspended retaliatory attacks against U.S. allies in the Middle East following Washington's cessation of strikes on the country over the past two nights. "As... our strategy was essentially retaliatory, we have also stopped our retaliatory operations," stated Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminijad.

A high-ranking Iranian source speaking to Reuters echoed this sentiment, saying Tehran would not attack unless the United States resumed its strikes. This stance had reportedly been communicated to Washington. However, Tehran remains skeptical of U.S. intentions, with the source adding, "The prevailing view is that this pause is more tactical."

AFP noted that the ceasefire after two weeks of nightly attacks revived hopes for renewed negotiations. However, American media suggested that a potential explanation for the halt in fire could be a shortage of weapons and ammunition.