The United States carried out no additional airstrikes on Thursday, the second day of US-Iran exchanges, as part of regional and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, according to Axios and CNN. A US official said the Trump administration continues to advance a diplomatic solution, and professional-level contacts toward a nuclear deal with Iran are ongoing.
Friday morning 10:41 Jerusalem — Axios and CNN reported Friday that the United States conducted no additional airstrikes on Thursday, the second day of US-Iran exchanges, as part of regional and diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions. A US official said the Trump administration continues to advance a diplomatic solution and that professional-level contacts for a nuclear deal with Iran are ongoing. The report follows earlier indications that the US is holding off on further strikes.
Earlier Friday, at 08:04 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that a US source told CNN that preparations for additional bombings continue but are being refrained from to allow diplomacy to advance, and that the commander of the aircraft carrier USS Lincoln warned his crew: 'Things are heating up.' At the same time, US officials said diplomacy is prioritized but preparations for further strikes continue. At 08:27 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that US-Iran talks continue with minor position shifts but no breakthrough. On Thursday night at 23:32 Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump discussed Iranian activity and the F-35 deal with Turkey, according to a source familiar with the details.
As The Zioneer reported earlier, the diplomatic track has been a persistent theme: on Mon Jun 29, Axios reported that the US and Iran agreed to halt attacks and resume talks; on Thu Jun 11, US officials said Trump has not abandoned diplomacy even after authorizing strikes; and on Jun 26 and Jun 28, Fox News reported strikes ongoing and then concluded. The current pause in strikes aligns with the repeated emphasis on diplomacy.
The key open question remains whether the diplomatic track will yield a tangible breakthrough or whether further strikes will resume. Preparations for additional bombings are reportedly still underway, and the situation remains tense.
3 developments
- StrongUS and Iran agree to halt attacks, resume talks later this week — Axios
- DevelopingUS officials: Trump has not abandoned diplomacy with Iran, patience wearing thin
- ConfirmedUS intensifies last-minute diplomatic push to avert Iranian retaliation against Israel
- StrongAxios: US security officials say strikes on Iran will continue
Source and signal
- Internal intake