United States-Iran peace talks have reportedly been placed on hold after renewed fighting in the Strait of Hormuz, where the United States launched strikes on Iranian military targets in response to Tehran's latest attacks on commercial shipping.
A Pakistani source involved in negotiations told MS NOW that discussions aimed at ending the conflict had been paused, although representatives from all parties remain in Switzerland and are prepared to resume talks once authorised. The source did not specify which side requested the pause.
Axios later reported that the United States and Iran had agreed to stop attacking one another and meet later this week.
The diplomatic uncertainty follows another escalation in military action after the exchange of strikes prompted U.S. President Donald Trump to renew his warning that Iran could face destruction if hostilities continue.
On Sunday, Trump announced that U.S. aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage sites, coastal radar installations and other military targets after accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire agreement.
"United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN!," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
"There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" Trump wrote.
The latest U.S. military action came after a commercial tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz was reportedly struck by a projectile on Saturday.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said fighter aircraft targeted 10 Iranian military sites in and around the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for a drone strike on the Panamanian-flagged tanker M/T Kiku.
According to CENTCOM, the vessel was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil when it was attacked.
The regional conflict widened overnight after Iran said it had launched strikes against U.S. military targets in Kuwait and Bahrain following the American attacks on its coastal facilities.
Kuwait's military said its air defence systems were actively intercepting incoming missiles and drones.
Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned what it described as renewed Iranian aggression.
"What Tehran is doing is not a passing act, nor an isolated incident, but rather a deliberate approach and a systematic pattern of repeated aggression," Bahrain's statement said.
Despite the renewed hostilities, CENTCOM said commercial shipping continued to move through the strategically important waterway, although in limited numbers.
Oil prices extended recent declines as additional tankers successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns over potential supply disruptions.
CENTCOM said the latest U.S. strikes targeted Iranian military surveillance infrastructure, communications systems, air defence positions, drone storage facilities and minelayer capabilities.
The renewed exchange of attacks comes despite a 60-day ceasefire agreed by both sides while negotiations continue toward a permanent peace settlement. However, Washington and Tehran have repeatedly accused each other of breaching the agreement.
According to CENTCOM, Iran also struck the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely in the strait off the coast of Oman on Thursday. The vessel continued its voyage despite sustaining damage.
