Oil & Gas|Geopolitics — US-Iran tensions ease as Washington pauses strikes to allow Hormuz diplomacy

A fragile calm has settled over the Persian Gulf after the US paused a 13-day campaign of airstrikes against Iran, creating a window for Omani-led mediation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. US President Trump has signaled a choice for Tehran between a negotiated deal or a more severe military response. Meanwhile, Iran's military warned that any resumption of US attacks would lead to a wider conflict.