WASHINGTON, June 29: The United States and Iran have agreed to de-escalate tensions and halt military activity, according to a senior U.S. official cited by Axios, as both sides prepare to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
A senior U.S. official told Axios, “We decided to stop all the kinetic activity,” using a military term referring to strikes and other attacks.
Another official said both sides will stand down “for now” and that “vessels can move freely,” while technical talks are expected to continue. A third source familiar with the matter also confirmed the planned meeting in Doha.
The fragile ceasefire, now 11 days old, remains under strain amid warnings from President Donald Trump that military action could resume if Iran does not comply with the terms of the agreement.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that Tehran has the exclusive right to manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary arrangement, according to The Wall Street Journal.
However, U.S. officials have disputed that interpretation, arguing that the agreement does not grant Iran control over the strategic waterway and that navigation must remain unrestricted.
The dispute intensified after a series of tit-for-tat strikes between the two sides, which began when Iran targeted a commercial vessel attempting to cross the strait by hugging the coast of Oman. Tehran has reportedly urged ships to follow a different route along its coastline.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the agreement signed earlier this month states that Iran will take responsibility for ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and will coordinate with regional partners on maritime arrangements and administration of the waterway.
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