US President Donald Trump has said the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is "over," even as he confirmed that technical talks between the two sides would continue at Tehran's request.
The mixed signals have added to uncertainty in the region, with shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world's most critical energy corridors — plunging as fighting resumed. Despite the disruption, Brent crude prices have held relatively steady, suggesting markets are, for now, betting on the situation stabilizing rather than spiraling further.
A senior American official told reporters the US strategy has involved deliberately striking Iranian targets and then pausing, in an effort to avoid full-scale escalation while leaving room for diplomacy to work. Mediators are reported to be pushing to bring both sides back to the negotiating table this week.
The uncertainty comes just after Iran buried former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei amid the ongoing conflict, a moment that observers say could shape the tone of Tehran's next moves at the table.