U.S. and Iran pause direct strikes after 13 nights, July 25

For the first time in nearly two weeks, the United States and Iran observed a pause in direct military strikes on Saturday, July 25, 2026, interrupting a cycle of nightly attacks that had escalated regional tensions and threatened global shipping lanes. The halt followed 13 consecutive nights of U.S. airstrikes on Iranian military targets and came a day after President Donald Trump ordered a pause in new military action.

Iranian Health Ministry spokesperson Hossein Kermanpour confirmed the lull, stating on social media that Iran had experienced a peaceful night. U.S. Central Command, which had announced new strikes daily for the prior two weeks, did not issue any such announcement for the period. The pause coincided with President Trump's recent public comments about considering a massive new military attack, telling an interviewer he was close to a decision and that Iran had not received enough pain yet.

Despite the overnight quiet over Iran, regional hostilities continued elsewhere, underscoring the fragility of the situation. In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi forces claimed responsibility for launching dozens of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at oil facilities...