Trump Pauses Iran Strikes for 3rd Day as Oil Drops 9% on Talk Hopes

3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 27

Three days without US-Iran strikes marked the clearest sign of a pause yet, with Trump saying “very friendly negotiations” were under way and an end to the war was possible.
Trump said he halted US strikes on Friday after mediating countries asked for more time for talks, but warned Washington would resume military action if diplomacy failed; Tehran denied any direct negotiations.
Oil fell more than 9% to as low as $87.59 a barrel on Monday as traders bet the conflict might de-escalate after nearly two weeks of daily attacks.
Five months into the war, Trump also rejected reports of strained US stockpiles, saying the military had ample ammunition and Patriots even as he pushed contractors to produce more weapons.
The pause follows a June ceasefire that unraveled after tanker attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on 13 July, reviving US strikes, Iranian retaliation and wider risks to a key global oil route.