Washington: The United States and Iran have agreed to temporarily halt military attacks against each other ahead of high-level negotiations scheduled for Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. The talks are intended to address disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and reinforce an interim peace agreement reached earlier this month after months of heightened tensions.
Military Activity Paused Ahead Of Negotiations
According to a senior US official, both countries have agreed to suspend all “kinetic activity,” referring to military strikes and other offensive operations. Another official said both sides would stand down for now, allowing commercial vessels to continue moving through the strategic waterway while diplomatic discussions proceed.
The Doha meeting was initially expected to take place in Switzerland with a broader focus on Iran’s nuclear programme. However, following fresh military exchanges over the weekend, negotiators shifted both the venue and agenda to prioritize maritime security and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Shipping Rights Remain A Key Issue
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has stated that Tehran retains the exclusive authority to manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz under the preliminary peace understanding. Washington, however, continues to dispute the interpretation of those terms.
The two sides are also negotiating several unresolved issues, including sanctions relief, the removal of the US naval blockade of Iranian ports and the future of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Efforts To Prevent Future Confrontations
Under the memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month, Iran agreed to work toward ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. In return, the United States committed to lifting its naval blockade on Iranian ports.
Negotiators also agreed in principle to establish a direct military hotline between US forces and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to reduce the risk of future maritime confrontations. However, Tehran has since renewed its demand that all vessels transiting the strait coordinate directly with Iranian authorities, a condition Washington believes exceeds the original agreement.
Despite the latest diplomatic breakthrough, the ceasefire remains delicate, with both sides expected to face difficult negotiations in Doha.
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