Hopes rise as strikes paused After two weeks of escalation, regional leaders hold talks in bid to bring peace By JAN YUMUL in Hong Kong and CUI HAIPEI in Dubai, UAE | China Daily | Updated: 2026-07-28 09:04

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202607/28/WS6a68002aa310986e2b467994.html Iran and the United States have paused their strikes after two weeks of escalation, raising hopes of a return to dialogue, as the Gulf countries push for adherence to diplomacy in an exchange of phone calls aimed at promoting peace and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.