[Anchor]

The United States and Iran, which had been engaged in armed clashes for two weeks, have suspended airstrikes for two consecutive days. However, tensions persist as an oil tanker exploded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Correspondent Lee Hanseok reports from Washington.

[Reporter]

As U.S. bombing that lasted for 13 consecutive days came to a halt, Iran also completely suspended its retaliatory attacks targeting U.S. bases and allies in the Middle East.

An Iranian military spokesperson stated that retaliatory operations were suspended because the U.S. military attacks had stopped.

It was also reported that U.S. President Trump ordered the suspension of additional airstrike plans, citing serious talks with Iran.

The two countries are continuing behind-the-scenes negotiations using countries like Oman as mediators.

[Mike Waltz / U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: As President Trump has said, we are fully prepared and additional forces are being deployed, but he is giving it time and watching so that dialogue can take place. In other words, he is giving some room for talks.]

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei also said that the exchange of messages between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the activities of mediating countries, are continuing.

While the imminent crisis of an all-out war appears to have been averted for now, it remains uncertain whether the lull will continue.

It is reported that the U.S. suspension of airstrikes stems from tactical considerations by the U.S. military—whose stock of air defense interceptor missiles has been rapidly depleting—rather than a sincere willingness for dialogue.

Tensions remain high in the Strait of Hormuz, where an oil tanker strayed from the route designated by Iran and collided with a mine, resulting in an explosion.

Adding to this, Iran claimed that Ukraine, instigated by Israel, attacked its commercial vessel and warned of retaliation.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is keeping up pressure on Iran, demanding the complete dismantlement of its nuclear program as a condition for ending the war.

Projections suggest that the summit between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu tomorrow (July 28) could serve as an inflection point for the unstable situation in the Middle East.

(Video Shooting: Park Eun-ha)