The US paused attacks on Iran for a second straight day Sunday and Tehran said it had done the same, as efforts continued to bring the two countries back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.
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Key facts
- The United States paused attacks on Iran for a second straight day on Sunday.
- Tehran said it had also paused its strikes.
- Efforts continued to return both countries to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.
- Al Jazeera reported the relative calm came amid reports of renewed efforts to restore diplomatic talks.
The United States paused its attacks on Iran for a second consecutive day on Sunday, according to NPR, while Tehran said it had done the same. The mutual halt in military action came as efforts continued to bring the two countries back to the negotiating table over an interim ceasefire.
NPR reported that the pause was tied to ongoing diplomatic work aimed at restoring talks between Washington and Tehran. The focus of those efforts, according to the outlet, is an interim ceasefire that could ease the recent exchange of strikes.
Al Jazeera described the situation as a period of relative calm, reporting that it came amid renewed efforts to restore diplomatic talks. The two-day break marks a notable shift after a stretch of active hostilities between the countries.
Both sides appear to be holding their fire while diplomatic channels remain open, though the sources do not detail the specific terms under discussion or who is leading the negotiations.
The developments were reported by NPR and Al Jazeera on July 26, 2026. Neither source provided further detail on the scope of the paused strikes or a timeline for any potential agreement.
Why it matters
A pause in strikes between the United States and Iran could reduce the risk of a wider regional conflict and open space for diplomacy. For a general reader, the second straight day of calm signals that both governments may be willing to pursue a negotiated de-escalation rather than continued military confrontation.
Frequently asked questions
Are the United States and Iran still attacking each other?
No. According to NPR, the United States paused its attacks on Iran for a second straight day on Sunday, and Tehran said it had also paused its strikes.
What are the two countries negotiating?
According to NPR, efforts are focused on bringing the countries back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.
Why has the fighting quieted down?
Al Jazeera reported that the relative calm comes amid reports of renewed efforts to restore diplomatic talks.
Timeline
- US and Iran hit pause on strikes for second day
Al Jazeera: The relative calm comes amid reports of renewed efforts to restore diplomatic talks.
- U.S. pauses attacks on Iran for a second straight day and Tehran does too
NPR News: The United States paused attacks on Iran for a second straight day Sunday and Tehran said it had done so too, as efforts continued to bring the countries back to negotiations on an interim ceasefire.