Washington: The United States and Iran have agreed to temporarily halt military strikes and will meet in Doha on Tuesday to concentrate on security and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported, citing US officials.
The reported stand-down comes after several days of military actions that raised alarms over commercial shipping through one of the world’s busiest sea lanes. According to Axios, the negotiations in Doha — moved from Switzerland after a fresh spike in tensions — will prioritize the safe movement of vessels rather than Iran’s nuclear programme, as reported by The Stateman.
Stand‑Down For Now
Citing US officials, Axios said both sides have agreed to stand down “for now,” allowing commercial traffic to resume while technical talks proceed. Negotiators had earlier in Switzerland agreed in principle to set up a direct “hotline” between US military forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to coordinate passage through the waterway, but that communication channel had not been activated as of Saturday, Axios reported.
Military Exchanges Before Progress
The diplomatic push followed renewed military exchanges. The US said it launched strikes on Iranian targets on Friday and Saturday after accusing Tehran of continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait. Iran replied by striking US military positions in the region.
CENTCOM said a Panama‑flagged tanker, M/T Kiku, was struck by what it described as a one‑way Iranian attack drone while transiting near the Strait of Hormuz. In a post on Truth Social, US President Donald Trump said American forces had targeted Iranian missile and drone storage facilities along with coastal radar installations.
“United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!” he wrote.
“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!” he added.
CENTCOM also said Iran had been offered a chance to comply with the ceasefire after earlier US strikes in response to an attack on M/V Ever Lovely.
Iran’s Role In The Strait
Axios quoted a senior US official saying both governments had agreed to stop “all the kinetic activity.” Another official told the outlet the stand‑down would hold “for now” while talks continue.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told reporters Tehran has the sole authority to manage traffic in the Strait of Hormuz under what The Wall Street Journal called a preliminary peace agreement. The Journal said Iran plans to control safe-passage arrangements for commercial vessels and consult neighbouring states on maritime administration. The United States rejects that view and says navigation through the international waterway must remain free.
The reported talks in Doha are aimed at averting further escalation around the strategically vital shipping corridor.
