Middle East War
US, Iran Agree to Pause Strikes as Talks Continue Over Hormuz Tensions
Iran cautions against bypassing its Strait of Hormuz route while the US confirms a temporary halt in attacks and ongoing diplomatic talks.
The United States said Washington and Tehran have agreed to temporarily stop attacks and continue negotiations after renewed military exchanges threatened an already fragile Middle East truce.
A US official said both sides planned to continue technical discussions linked to a memorandum of understanding brokered with Pakistan to ease the conflict and stabilise shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MOU,” the official said.
“Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely” in and around the Strait of Hormuz, the official added.
The latest tensions erupted after US Central Command said it attacked 10 Iranian military sites over “continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping.”
Iran responded with strikes targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, according to Tehran. Both Gulf states condemned the attacks.
Despite a ceasefire reached in April, clashes and shipping disputes have continued in the Gulf region.
Iran has insisted on controlling navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route carrying around 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that any effort by ships to avoid Iran’s preferred transit corridor would “increase the tensions” and complicate efforts to reopen the strait fully.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also said vessels violating Tehran’s traffic measures would face stronger enforcement.
Mohammad Mokhber, adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on X that Washington’s “hegemonic dreams in the region will not be realised” as long as Iran remained in control of the strait.
Security analysts expect further incidents despite the renewed diplomatic efforts.
Meanwhile, Israel announced it had destroyed a large Hezbollah tunnel in southern Lebanon.
According to a joint statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz, the tunnel stretched more than 200 metres and contained “hundreds of weapons” and launch shafts targeting Israel.
Hezbollah accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and said it reserved the right to defend Lebanon and its people.
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