For a third consecutive day, the United States and Iran have refrained from direct military strikes, creating a fragile opening for diplomatic backchannels to gain traction. Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are working intensively to restart ceasefire negotiations after a sudden escalation that saw the US bombard Iranian coastal areas and Iran retaliate with missile and drone attacks across the region. Main Developments The US paused its strikes on Saturday after nearly two weeks of attacks targeting Iranian coastal regions and infrastructure. That offensive was triggered by Iran firing at ships attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Iran responded to the US barrage with missile and drone attacks on countries hosting American troops, killing at least three service members at a base in Jordan and one in Iraq. The strikes also hit Saudi Arabia and Jordan, underscoring the reach of Iran-backed armed groups. Read also: Keiko Fujimori's Presidency: Breaking with Her Father's Legacy? President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that Iran had requested a meeting “through their surrogates and directly” and that “we are having good talks.” But he also issued threats should an agreement fail to materialize, a pattern familiar from previous crises. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman pushed back, insisting Tehran has not asked to resume peace talks. He acknowledged that “mediators may convey messages to us from the American side” but stressed there are no direct negotiations. The US Central Command reported redirecting 17 commercial vessels transiting the strait on Monday, disabling two others and boarding two more to enforce its naval blockade on Iranian ports. Washington also revoked a waiver that had permitted Iranian oil sales. Background The current crisis traces back to the collapse of a memorandum of understanding signed in mid-June. That accord had halted earlier hostilities before unraveling earlier this month over disagreements about the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran insists vessels must use a shipping lane closer to its shores and has been firing at ships passing through a southern lane near the Omani coast. Oman proposed a voluntary toll system for passage through the waterway, but Iran demands that tolls be mandatory. “The Iranians say the situation in the strategic waterway can’t return to what it was before the war,” Al Jazeera’s Osama Bin Javaid reported from Doha. “They are insisting there will be a toll, but are open to ideas about whether it’s going to be entry fees, exit fees, or in lieu of some services.” Sources told The Associated Press that some progress was made over the weekend on the Strait of Hormuz issue, though the two sides remain far apart on a final arrangement. Why It Matters The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for global energy supplies, and any sustained disruption could ripple through world oil markets. The pause in strikes offers a rare window for diplomacy, but Iran’s continued drone attacks and the US blockade indicate both sides are still testing each other’s limits. Trump’s dual messaging — claiming progress in talks while threatening consequences if no deal is reached — creates uncertainty about whether a genuine diplomatic track exists. Iran’s downplaying of direct negotiations suggests Tehran may be trying to avoid appearing weak while still probing the new US approach. The involvement of Qatar and Pakistan as mediators reflects the complexity of the conflict, which now involves multiple theaters from the Arabian Sea to Jordan. Any miscalculation could reignite a broader regional war. What's Next Mediators are expected to continue shuttling messages between Washington and Tehran in the coming days. Qatar and Pakistan are eager to revive the June memorandum of understanding, but the Strait of Hormuz toll dispute remains the primary obstacle. Trump’s reference to missile-interceptor stocks — following reports of shortages — suggests the US may be using the pause to replenish its arsenal. He said Patriot interceptors are being built to increase stockpiles. Iran’s next moves will signal whether it is willing to negotiate under the current conditions or will continue to test US resolve through proxy attacks. The coming week will be critical in determining whether the pause becomes a ceasefire or a prelude to renewed escalation.