US and Iran Agree to Pause Strikes and Launch New Talks in Qatar Over Hormuz Crisis

The United States and Iran have agreed to suspend ongoing military strikes and move toward high-level negotiations in Qatar on Tuesday, in what officials describe as an urgent attempt to stabilize the situation around the Strait of Hormuz after days of escalating confrontation.

The agreement was reported by US media outlets, citing senior American officials, and follows a weekend of tit-for-tat attacks that put an interim understanding signed on 17 June under severe strain. That earlier memorandum was intended to de-escalate tensions linked to the wider conflict that erupted in late February and has repeatedly disrupted maritime traffic through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Under the terms of the June 17 framework, Iran agreed to guarantee safe passage for commercial vessels moving through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States committed to lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. The arrangement was designed as a temporary stabilization mechanism, but has been repeatedly tested by renewed military incidents in recent days.

A senior US official told Axios that both sides had now agreed to halt direct military activity. “We decided to stop all the kinetic activity,” the official said, using military terminology for strikes. Another US official confirmed that the pause is temporary, adding that “vessels can move freely” while diplomatic engagement continues.

According to multiple sources cited by US media, the planned meeting on Tuesday in Qatar has been confirmed by both sides. CNN also reported confirmation from a Trump administration official that talks will take place in Doha, focusing specifically on maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

The venue for the negotiations was reportedly changed at short notice. Initial discussions were expected to be held in Switzerland and cover broader issues, including Iran’s nuclear program. However, after the escalation over the weekend, the agenda was narrowed and the location moved to Qatar to focus on the immediate shipping crisis.

US President Donald Trump maintained a hard line throughout the latest developments. Speaking on Saturday, he warned that any renewed Iranian attacks on shipping would trigger severe consequences, saying Iran would “no longer exist” if Washington were forced to restart military action.

The latest escalation began after the US accused Iran of striking a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, which Washington said jeopardized the fragile ceasefire arrangement. In response, US Central Command reported strikes on ten Iranian military targets, describing them as a reaction to continued aggression against commercial shipping.

Iran rejected the US strikes, calling them a violation of the agreement. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps claimed responsibility for retaliatory attacks on Gulf states, including Bahrain and Kuwait, where US military facilities are located.

Further exchanges followed, with Iranian drone and missile activity reported in the region and US forces continuing targeted operations. At the same time, diplomatic channels remained open, ultimately leading to the decision to pause hostilities and resume structured negotiations.

Regional tensions have also been complicated by parallel developments involving Israel and Lebanon, where a framework agreement was signed in Washington. Despite this, reports later indicated renewed Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah dismissed the agreement as invalid.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the crisis. Iranian officials have repeatedly emphasized its strategic importance, while US officials warn that continued instability threatens global energy and shipping flows. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stressed the need to maintain control over the passage, underscoring its central role in Tehran’s position.

The upcoming talks in Qatar are expected to focus narrowly on preventing further disruptions to maritime traffic, with both sides agreeing to maintain a temporary stand-down as negotiations proceed.