US-Iran Indirect Talks Show Promise Amid Middle East Ceasefire

A ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump between Iran and Israel appears to be holding following 12 days of conflict marked by Israeli airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory missile attacks from Iran. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, described ongoing talks between the US and Iran as "promising," expressing optimism about reaching a comprehensive long-term peace agreement. The US has conducted strikes that it says degraded Iran's nuclear program, while Israel claims to have neutralized immediate nuclear and missile threats. Both Iran and Israel have declared victory in the conflict, which heightened regional tensions and risked escalating into a broader war. The US is balancing its support for Israel with diplomatic engagement efforts toward Iran, including indirect and direct negotiations aimed at resolving nuclear program disputes. Witkoff emphasized that continued dialogue and negotiations remain crucial to achieving lasting peace.