The United States and Iran have agreed to temporarily halt the fighting that has recently escalated in the Arabian Gulf, while also committing to resume negotiations aimed at easing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, according to a senior U.S. official.
The official said both sides reached an agreement to suspend hostilities, allowing commercial shipping to resume more freely as technical discussions continue on the provisions of the framework agreement signed on 17 June.
According to Axios, a new round of negotiations is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 30 June, in Doha, Qatar, as both countries seek to preserve the fragile ceasefire, which has repeatedly come under strain due to renewed exchanges of fire.
The latest agreement follows days of missile and drone attacks between the two sides, sparked by an airstrike targeting a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important maritime trade routes.
In recent weeks, Washington and Tehran have accused each other of violating the temporary truce, raising fears that the conflict could escalate further.
The United States has previously warned that it could resort to military action if Iran fails to uphold its commitments, while Iran has maintained that it reserves the right to retaliate against attacks on its territory and interests.
The renewed negotiations are expected to help reduce tensions in the region and improve security for international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies.
The conflict has also had an immediate impact on global oil markets. Crude oil prices rose by 0.8% to $72.57 per barrel following renewed fighting. This came after prices had previously fallen by 10.6% when the two countries first agreed to a temporary ceasefire.
