Here’s what we’re following:
- President Donald Trump announced Tuesday evening that the U.S. would pause efforts to guide stranded vessels out of the Strait of Hormuz for a short period to give space for U.S. efforts to finalize a settlement with Iran to end the war. He added that the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted earlier Tuesday that a ceasefire in the Middle East is still holding and that while the conflict is not resolved, the initial major U.S. military operation against Iran has concluded.
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine also said Iran’s recent acts of aggression are below the threshold of “major combat operations,” meaning that Tehran has not violated the tenuous ceasefire. Caine spoke before the latest attacks on the UAE, which has often been targeted by Iran since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran ignited the conflict on Feb. 28.
- The United Arab Emirates is “actively engaging” with missile and drone attacks from Iran, the country’s defense ministry said on X Tuesday evening. It said sounds heard in parts of the Gulf federation are related to the interception of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
