US and Iran mark second consecutive day of strike pauses

CAIRO/AP and Washington Post reports said the U.S. military paused strikes on Iran for a second straight day and Tehran publicly said it was also pausing attacks. The pause was described as a sign of continuing mediation over an interim ceasefire, even as U.S. officials said naval interdiction of Iranian-linked shipping remains in place.

Why this matters. A continued de-escalation lowers immediate strike risk to U.S. facilities and nearby allies, but the ceasefire remains fragile and the Strait of Hormuz mechanism could resume pressure quickly if either side restarts operations.