No fresh strikes were recorded overnight from either the United States or Iran, marking a tentative lull after days of escalating confrontation that had pushed the region to a return to wider war. The pause appears to coincide with r enewed diplomatic efforts involving regional mediators, even as tensions remain high and the risk of miscalculation persists.
Confusion continues to surround reported incidents inside Iran. Authorities in Tehran claimed attacks on the coastal cities of Konarak and Bushehr, though the details remain unclear. Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported multiple explosions across several regions, including Konarak in Sistan and Baluchestan province, as well as Bushehr and Hormozgan.
However, US officials told Axios that American forces did not carry out new strikes on Thursday, describing the current posture as part of a broader de-escalation effort.
The developments follow a sharp escalation earlier this week, triggered in part by attacks on three oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday. Washington responded with a large-scale military campaign, reportedly involving close to 200 strikes. Among the targets was a military base near the Bushehr nuclear power plant, according to a statement by deputy governor Ehsan Jahanian.
Despite the apparent pause in military activity, analysts warn that the situation remains highly unstable. Experts from the International Crisis Group described the current moment as a "perilous grey zone", in which the mechanisms designed to prevent escalation are no longer functioning effectively, even as diplomatic channels remain formally open.
"The political framework that was supposed to prevent escalation is not doing the job," the group noted, adding that both sides are increasingly relying on military action to impose their own interpretations of existing understandings.
Washington has signalled that it is still committed to pursuing a diplomatic track, with efforts focused on reviving negotiations around Iran’s nuclear programme. Several regional actors—including Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia—are reportedly engaged in mediation efforts to contain the crisis.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held a phone call on Thursday with Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, during which the two discussed the latest developments, according to a statement from Tehran.
At the centre of the dispute remains the Strait of Hormuz , a vital artery for global energy supplies and a longstanding flashpoint in US-Iran tensions. The war of words over control of the waterway has intensified, underscoring its central role in both military calculations and diplomatic negotiations.
In a statement posted on X, US Central Command claimed that "Iran does not control the Strait of Hormuz", highlighting the number of commercial vessels and volumes of oil that US forces have helped secure through the corridor in recent days.
Crisis Group analysts point to ambiguities in prior agreements as a key factor behind the current escalation. They argue that deliberately vague language, initially intended to facilitate consensus, has instead created space for competing interpretations.
"One problem lies with the memorandum’s inherent ambiguity," the group said, noting that its provisions are "too vague to ensure seamless implementation". As a result, "armed escalation has become the instrument by which both sides seek to impose their preferred understanding of the deal".
The diplomatic and military tracks are unfolding alongside heightened coordination between Washington and its regional allies.
US President Donald Trump held a phone call overnight with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which the two leaders discussed "American moves in the Gulf", according to a statement from Netanyahu’s office. Separately, CNN reported that Israel had shared intelligence with the United States about an alleged Iranian plot to assassinate Trump —adding yet another layer to the tensions between Washington, Tehran and Tel Aviv.