The United States has paused airstrikes on Iran for a third consecutive night following advice from top military officials to halt the bombing campaign. This pause comes amid ongoing diplomatic negotiations aimed at preventing a full-scale war.

Oil prices dropped on Monday as markets reacted to the cessation of combat operations. Tehran also announced on Sunday it would pause what it described as “retaliatory” attacks against US allies in the region.

Since the US launched its war against Iran on February 28, the Pentagon has updated its casualty figures, revealing that 18 American troops have been killed and 624 wounded. Over the weekend, more than 140 wounded service members were added to the official war casualty database.

Adm Bradley Cooper, the top US military commander in the region, reportedly informed President Donald Trump that the military campaign had reached the limits of its effectiveness. Trump is currently considering both diplomatic and military options in the nearly five-month-old conflict.

The war has also sparked controversy beyond the battlefield. Pop star Katy Perry condemned the White House after it used her song "Firework" in a TikTok video showcasing US military strikes on Iranian targets. Perry stated, “I did not approve this, I was not asked, and I absolutely do not condone it. I wrote this song to be an anthem of hope, healing, and inner strength … my music is for bringing people together, not celebrating warfare.”

Meanwhile, Susan Gregg from Harborview Medical Center reported admitting four victims related to the conflict, including a toddler, a 23-year-old man, and two women.

In a related international development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani for calling him a war criminal in connection with Israel’s war in Gaza, accusing Mamdani of fomenting hate.

Sources