The timing of war and peace is not yours to decide, Iran tells US

The United States and Iran have suspended military operations for a third consecutive night, marking a temporary pause in hostilities amid ongoing peace negotiations. This halt comes after weeks of escalating tensions, including a series of U.S. airstrikes targeting Iranian interests in the Gulf region. According to reports, both nations appear to be granting diplomacy more time to take root, though the situation remains volatile. The decision to pause strikes was confirmed by multiple sources, including statements made by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz. Speaking during an interview with CBS' Face the Nation, Waltz emphasized that President Donald Trump was affording diplomacy “some space” and “time.” He reiterated that while the current pause might offer a window for dialogue, the administration continues to prepare for potential escalation. “Additional military assets are moving into the region,” Waltz stated, warning that Iran should take seriously the U.S. stance that “all options remain on the table.” Meanwhile, an Iranian military spokesperson announced that Tehran had also ceased retaliatory operations in the area. This move follows 13 nights of continuous U.S. strikes against Iran, which were reportedly aimed at reducing the country’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The strait has long been a flashpoint in U.S.-Iran relations and played a central role in a provisional agreement reached in June. Under the terms of this memorandum of understanding, Iran was required to reopen the waterway and confirm its commitment to not developing nuclear weapons. In exchange, the U.S. pledged to lift its naval blockade and ease economic sanctions on Iran. Both sides were granted 60 days to finalize a comprehensive deal. However, recent developments have complicated these efforts. Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz led to renewed U.S. military action, including the imposition of a new naval blockade around Iranian ports. The U.S. Central Command confirmed that as of Saturday, its forces had redirected 12 commercial vessels attempting to circumvent the blockade, disabled two that failed to comply, and boarded others to enforce full adherence to the restrictions. These measures have further strained relations and raised concerns about the viability of the peace process. In addition to the regional conflict, Iran faces mounting pressure from another front, its relationship with Ukraine. Following a Ukrainian strike on an Iranian ship in the Caspian Sea earlier this week, which Kyiv claimed was transporting military equipment between Iran and Russia, Iranian officials expressed outrage. Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated that the attack resulted in the death of a sailor and warned that such actions would not go unanswered. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the national security commission in the Iranian parliament, echoed these sentiments, asserting that “any attack on Iran always comes with a cost.” Azizi also suggested that Ukraine could soon experience the consequences of its actions, indicating that Iran is prepared to respond forcefully if provoked further. The broader implications of these developments remain unclear. While the temporary ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalation, the underlying issues, ranging from Iran’s nuclear ambitions to regional security concerns, continue to pose significant challenges. With both sides maintaining their military readiness, the path toward lasting peace appears fraught with uncertainty. As the situation unfolds, observers will be watching closely to see whether this pause in hostilities can lead to meaningful progress or merely delay the inevitable confrontation.