Mediators see progress in Iran war ceasefire restoration push

News Mediators see progress in Iran war ceasefire restoration push Comments: by Mira Bhakta - 07/28/26 2:32 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Mira Bhakta - 07/28/26 2:32 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Mediators in the U.S.-Iran war negotiations have reported progress in a potential ceasefire after both American and Iranian forces paused attacks, despite continued fighting by other forces in the Middle East.

Discussions led by Qatar and Pakistan hope to bridge the gap between the U.S. and Iran and lead to an interim ceasefire deal, two region officials told the Associated Press.

Separate attacks in the region have fueled tensions between the nations. Saudi Arabia recently shot down drones from Iran-backed militaries, and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have hi Saudi oil facilities. It is unclear if the two attacks are related.

Both nations halted fighting for three days following two weeks of retaliatory strikes, during which the U.S. struck Iranian coastal areas and infrastructure after Iran fired at ships sailing through the Strait Hormuz. The conflict had reignited over alleged violations of the ceasefire agreement signed last month.

The war has nearly reached its sixth month after the U.S. and Israel launched joint attacks in Iran on Feb. 28. The U.S. death toll has reached 18 since March, and the Iranian Health Ministry has reported a death toll of over 3,400.

The strikes over the last two weeks follow the collapse of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on June 17. The MOU intended to commit the U.S. and Iran to negotiate for 60 days and reach a more formal peace deal.

“We’re having good talks, so we’ll see what happens,” Trump told reporters Monday on Air Force One. “I think there’s a good chance that something could happen. And if it does, good. If it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago.”

The recent pause in fighting comes as members of Congress criticize the war effort for its lack of a stated goal.

“There’s got to be an off-ramp, that’s all there is to it,” said Sen. Jim Justice (R-W.Va.).

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