Official says diplomatic efforts underway to ease US-Iran tensions: Report

Diplomatic efforts are underway behind the scenes to ease tensions in the US-Iran conflict, CNN reported on Friday, citing a US official.

For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

The official reportedly said Washington has deliberately alternated between military strikes and pauses in an effort to avoid further escalation and allow diplomacy to progress, while maintaining a list of potential targets as leverage.

CNN also reported, citing multiple officials, that the US had prepared for possible strikes later tonight if necessary, but diplomacy is currently taking precedence.

Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported that several strikes targeted military sites in two cities on Thursday evening, while Israeli officials said they were unaware of any Israeli involvement in the attacks inside Iran at this time.

The US official added that technical negotiations between Washington and Tehran over Iran's nuclear program remain ongoing as part of efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement. The official noted that the situation remains fluid and that military strikes could resume if necessary.

Read more:

Israel shared intel about ‘new’ Iran plot to kill Trump: Reports

Trump updated Netanyahu on US ‘moves in Gulf:’ Israeli PM’s office