Iran Says No Immediate Cease-Fire Talks as U.S. Strikes Pause

Iranian officials said they have not agreed to a cease-fire and are not rushing to negotiate directly with the United States, even as a pause in airstrikes has left the skies over Iran quiet for several days. Military leaders highlighted recent battlefield successes, while diplomats dismissed U.S. statements that Tehran is eager to resume talks.

Tehran’s rhetoric suggests confidence in its ability to endure renewed conflict and to leverage its position over the Strait of Hormuz, a point the United States has so far resisted acknowledging. Analysts warned that the uncertainty surrounding a possible return to fighting poses economic risks for Iran, including further deterioration from wartime damage and a U.S. naval blockade.