Peace talks tested but continue after Iran-Israel escalation
President Donald Trump said “final negotiations on ‘peace’ are proceeding,” while Iran said the talks were unfolding “in an atmosphere of deep mistrust.”
WASHINGTON — Diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran are strained but have not collapsed after reciprocal attacks between Israel and Iran threatened to return the region to full-blown war.
Iran’s military said Monday it was halting offensive operations against Israel, having “delivered a painful response.” The announcement carried by Iranian state television came shortly after President Donald Trump said the two sides were nearing an immediate ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement hours later that the exchange of fire with Iran is “currently contained,” but he warned that Israel would respond forcefully to future Iranian attacks.
The tit-for-tat strikes that began Sunday and continued into Monday were the first of their kind since a mid-April ceasefire, raising fears of wider war after Yemen's Houthi rebels announced they would impose a “complete blockade” on Israeli shipping in the Red Sea.
