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The United States and Iran have agreed to halt attacks and allow vessels to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, a US official said on Sunday, raising hopes of salvaging an interim peace deal that was under pressure from days of tit-for-tat strikes.

"Technical talks are slated to continue on all areas of the MoU. Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely," the official told reporters, referring to the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Coverage Comparison

The announcement was reported by multiple outlets, with consistent details. ABC Australia and BBC — World noted the agreement to "stand down" and the resumption of talks. Deutsche Welle quoted a US official confirming the pause and the resumption of technical talks, adding that delegates are set to meet on Tuesday in Doha, Qatar. The Jerusalem Post reported that Iran did not take part in technical talks slated for Sunday due to recent attacks and unfulfilled conditions of the MoU, but a senior US official told the Post that "nothing had been canceled" and that talks were on track for the coming days.

Dawn added that the agreement followed several days of strikes and counterstrikes, including an Iranian projectile hitting a cargo vessel in the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, with both sides accusing each other of breaking the interim ceasefire agreed on June 17.

Key Claims

  • The US and Iran agreed to halt hostilities and resume technical talks on the memorandum of understanding.
  • Vessels can move freely through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a US official.
  • Talks between the US and Iran are set to resume on Tuesday in Qatar, as reported by Axios and cited by multiple outlets.
  • Iran launched missiles and drones at US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain early on Sunday, shortly after US President Donald Trump threatened that the Islamic Republic would cease to exist if it did not honor the agreement to end the war.
  • Israel struck Iran-backed armed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, destroying underground infrastructure in a village in southern Lebanon, according to Israel.
  • Israel has taken over around 600 square kilometers of southern Lebanon, as reported by Dawn.

Perspectives

United States (official): A US official stated that both sides have agreed to stand down and that technical talks will continue on all areas of the memorandum of understanding. The official also confirmed that "nothing had been canceled" regarding the talks, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.

Iran: Iran has not publicly commented on the US statement about the halt in strikes. However, an Iranian official told state TV that Tehran did not take part in technical talks on Sunday due to recent attacks and unfulfilled conditions of the MoU, citing the need to verify access to unfrozen funds.

Israel: Israeli officials said they struck Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, destroying underground infrastructure in a village in southern Lebanon, as part of ongoing operations against the group.