Trump Pauses Strike on Iran as Diplomacy Advances via Pakistan Back-Channel

President Donald Trump has reportedly paused a scheduled military strike against Iran after receiving a new peace proposal from Tehran. The President indicated there is now a 'very good chance' of reaching an agreement regarding Iran's nuclear program, though he instructed the military to remain prepared for a large-scale assault should negotiations fail. This shift to a 'pressure-and-pause' strategy comes amid reports of a fragile ceasefire following six weeks of regional conflict involving U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Vice President JD Vance confirmed the diplomatic momentum during a White House briefing, stating that the administration is negotiating in 'good faith' and believes the Iranians are seeking a deal. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that Tehran's positions are currently being transmitted to Washington through Pakistan, which has emerged as a primary diplomatic intermediary. Despite the talks, Tehran has warned that any renewed U.S. aggression will be met with a more forceful response than previous encounters. Domestically, the Trump administration faces increasing oversight from Congress. On Tuesday, the U.S. Senate voted 50-47 to advance a war powers resolution introduced by Senator Tim Kaine. The measure seeks to require explicit congressional authorization for continued military action against Iran, signaling a legislative effort to reassert control over the potential for further escalation.