Iran had a quiet night. Those four words from a spokesman for Iran's Health Ministry capture just how fragile this moment really is, because in the fifth month of a war, a quiet night has become news in itself. After nearly two weeks of American warplanes striking targets across Iran night after night, the skies finally fell silent. U.S. Central Command confirmed no new attacks and declined to comment when asked. At the same time, diplomatic efforts moved to the forefront in an attempt to keep the conflict from sliding back into open warfare. This coming Tuesday marks five months since the conflict began on February 28.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether this marks a turning point or simply the pause between two blows, no one can say, least of all the president, who seems determined to argue both at once. Donald Trump said Friday that America was locked and loaded while insisting serious negotiations were taking place at the same time. He brushed aside concerns that soaring gasoline prices caused by the war could hurt Republicans in November's midterm elections. It is the posture of a man holding the door open with one hand while keeping the other clenched into a fist, hoping his opponent will decide what it means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n