The United States and Iran have agreed to stop attacking each other, a senior U.S. official told Axios, using the military term for strikes and other attacks. The decision comes as the fragile 11-day ceasefire faces renewed strain from competing interpretations of their memorandum of understanding. Technical talks are set to continue Tuesday in Qatar's capital.
The renewed fighting was sparked by disagreements over the MOU's terms on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments. President Trump had threatened to restart the war and "complete the job," underscoring the volatility of the situation. The ceasefire's sustainability remains uncertain as both sides hold to their own readings of the agreement.
Under the MOU, Iran committed to its best efforts to allow safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait. In return, the U.S. lifted its blockade of Iranian ports. A second U.S. official confirmed both sides will stand down "for now" and that "vessels can move freely" as talks proceed.
A third source with knowledge confirmed the planned meeting. The talks aim to work out the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, which had triggered renewed strikes and heightened tensions in the region. The outcome will determine whether the ceasefire holds or escalates further.
The agreement to halt strikes is a tentative step, but the underlying dispute over the strait's governance remains unresolved. Both sides face pressure to deliver a lasting solution, though the path forward is fraught with mistrust and divergent interests.