WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran have agreed to stand down after a fresh exchange of strikes in the Gulf region, a U.S. official said on Sunday, as both sides seek to preserve a fragile interim peace deal.
The agreement follows days of tit-for-tat military actions centered on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments. Iran launched missiles and drones at U.S. military sites in Bahrain and Kuwait in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Iranian targets, according to Iranian state media and U.S. officials.
“Both sides will stand down for now and vessels can move freely,” the U.S. official told Reuters, referring to the Strait of Hormuz. Technical talks on the 14-point memorandum of understanding signed on June 17 are slated to continue, the official added.
The memorandum, which aimed for an immediate termination of military operations and a 60-day timeline for broader negotiations, has come under strain from the recent hostilities. Iran has not publicly confirmed the latest stand-down agreement.
U.S. Central Command had conducted strikes on Iranian military infrastructure following an Iranian drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. No immediate casualty figures were available from either side.
The developments come amid ongoing regional tensions, including related actions involving Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The situation remains fluid, with further details on the resumption of talks expected in the coming days.
