IRAN — US-IRAN TENSIONS EASE AS BOMBING PAUSES; TRUMP TALKS TOUGH AHEAD OF NEGOTIATIONS

A temporary halt in a two-week US bombing campaign against Iran has cooled geopolitical tensions, raising hopes for renewed diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict. US President Donald Trump confirmed "good talks" were underway but threatened to resume strikes against critical infrastructure, including bridges, power plants, and the fortified Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site, if a deal is not reached. The pause follows 13 days of aerial attacks that began in late February.