Tehran/Washington, 27 July (H.S.): Although attacks between the United States and Iran have come to a halt, tensions remain high in the Middle East (West Asia), particularly in the Strait of Hormuz. An oil tanker suffered a massive explosion after hitting a sea mine in the strategic waterway. The United States has temporarily suspended its strikes against Iran, while Tehran has also been forced to stop its retaliatory attacks in the region after nearly two weeks of intense bombardment.

According to reports by Al Jazeera and CBS News, US President Donald Trump has rejected claims that the military was running short of ammunition. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that Washington had already damaged previous negotiations. However, Tehran and Washington continue to exchange messages through intermediaries.

Iranian officials have confirmed that an oil tanker attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz was hit by sea mines, resulting in a powerful explosion. The vessel was reportedly moving ahead despite instructions issued by Iranian authorities. The incident occurred in the Strait of Hormuz after two days of relative calm in the region.

US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on Sunday that after 13 consecutive nights of American strikes on Iranian military positions, the Trump administration decided to suspend further attacks indefinitely while pursuing diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, Pakistan, Qatar and other Middle Eastern countries are making efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to the negotiating table.

The Iranian military also stated that it had halted retaliatory attacks against US allies in the Middle East. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump shared several AI-generated images on his social media platform ‘Truth Social’, showcasing American military strength and describing the country as the “protector of the world”. The images also highlighted Washington’s broader political ambitions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar