US and Iran Make Progress in Reviving Ceasefire Deal

Regional officials have reported progress in negotiations between the United States and Iran to return to an interim ceasefire deal after a period of escalating tensions. The talks, led by Qatar and Pakistan, aim to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran.

Saudi Arabia claimed it shot down drones fired by Iran-backed militias in Iraq targeting its petroleum facilities, while Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said they attacked Saudi oil facilities as part of a separate conflict.

The U.S. paused attacks after targeting Iranian coastal areas, but regional officials say mediators have made significant progress in the negotiations, citing a mechanism for managing vessels' transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global oil shipments.