New Delhi, July 27 -- Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict between the United States and Iran gathered pace on Monday as a pause in hostilities entered its third day, though Tehran said it was not holding direct negotiations with Washington and denied reports of an agreed ceasefire.

The military lull began after the US halted strikes on Iran on Friday, with senior officials reportedly advising President Donald Trump that the bombing campaign had reached the limits of its effectiveness, according to Axios. Iran has also paused retaliatory military operations, creating space for diplomatic engagement through intermediaries.

However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran was not engaged in direct talks ...