A US official said diplomatic efforts remain underway to defuse US‑Iran tensions
and that Washington has been deliberately pausing strikes after attacks to avoid
escalation and preserve space for diplomacy while keeping a target list as
leverage. Multiple officials said US forces were prepared to strike Iran that
night if needed but were allowing diplomacy to lead. Carrier Abraham Lincoln,
deployed in the Arabian Sea, loaded weapons and conducted flight drills; the
carrier captain told thousands aboard the situation was heating up and to
maintain readiness. US officials said Iranian claims that US forces carried out
additional strikes that night were inaccurate; the situation remains fluid and
strikes could resume if necessary.
