The United States and Iran have agreed to "stand down" following a recent exchange of strikes, a US official told CBS News, the BBC's US partner. This de-escalation aims to allow commercial vessels to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz and facilitate the continuation of talks aimed at ending the ongoing war.
The agreement comes after a series of attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for oil and gas shipments. Tensions escalated with both nations accusing each other of violating a ceasefire memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed on June 17. This MoU included an "immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts" and provisions for Iran to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels for 60 days.
Recent hostilities resumed on Thursday when an Iranian projectile reportedly struck a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. The US responded over the weekend with strikes on multiple Iranian targets, which US Central Command (Centcom) described as a direct response to "continued aggression" against commercial shipping. Iran retaliated on Saturday with strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, though the US reported no casualties or damage from these attacks.
The Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed by Tehran after late February attacks by the US and Israel on Iran, saw renewed threats to its stability. Iran has not officially commented on the reported agreement to halt strikes.
Separately, the US mediated a framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon aimed at fostering lasting peace, which was signed on Friday. However, this ceasefire also faced challenges due to ongoing fighting between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The leader of Hezbollah has rejected the agreement, accusing the Lebanese government of undermining national sovereignty. On Sunday, the Israeli army announced it had struck a tunnel used by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, which it claimed contained hundreds of weapons. Israel stated that both the Prime Minister and Defence Minister were informed of the attack in advance. Tehran has indicated that hostilities in Lebanon must cease for a broader ceasefire to hold.