The United States and Iran have agreed to suspend hostilities and resume negotiations aimed at ending the Middle East conflict, following fresh exchanges that tested their fragile peace agreement.
A US official confirmed on Sunday that both sides had agreed to halt attacks and allow commercial vessels to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz while technical talks on implementing their memorandum of understanding continue.
“Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the official said.
The development follows renewed military exchanges that threatened the Pakistan-brokered agreement reached to end the conflict, which has claimed thousands of lives and disrupted global oil supplies.
Although a ceasefire took effect in April, tensions have persisted around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway that handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Iran has yet to officially respond to the latest US statement, while Washington did not confirm reports that the next round of talks would begin on Tuesday in Qatar.
Iran has insisted on controlling shipping through the strait, warning that attempts by vessels to bypass its designated route would increase regional tensions.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said any new navigation arrangement outside Iran’s framework would complicate efforts to fully reopen the waterway.
The latest tensions followed US strikes on 10 Iranian military targets, which Washington said were carried out in response to continued attacks on commercial shipping. Iran retaliated by targeting US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both Gulf states condemned the strikes.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they would continue enforcing security measures in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that vessels violating the rules would face tougher action.
Meanwhile, violence also persisted on the Lebanese front despite the broader peace efforts.
Israel said it destroyed a major Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon containing hundreds of weapons and multiple launch sites.
Hezbollah condemned the operation as a violation of the ceasefire and said it reserved the right to respond.
Lebanon became part of the wider conflict after Hezbollah launched rockets at Israel in support of Iran, prompting Israeli airstrikes and a ground offensive.
