US and Iran agree to end trade strikes; meet in Qatar on Tuesday to discuss Hormuz, official says | Today’s news

Days after carrying out breaststrokes for tattoos in the Middle East and risking a fragile interim agreement, the US and Iran have reportedly agreed to back down and stop attacking each other, a senior US official told Axios.

The senior US official added that delegations from both sides plan to meet in the Qatari capital on Tuesday (local time) to resolve their issues over the Strait of Hormuz. The development comes roughly two weeks after Washington and Tehran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) to end the war in the Middle East and began negotiations over the next 60 days, extendable by mutual agreement, to finalize a deal that would permanently end the war.

The decision to stand down marks a de-escalation after several days of retaliatory attacks that have tested the fragile truce, already threatened by US President Donald Trump’s warning to renew the war and “finish the job”.

Remarks by US officials on the decision to stop the strikes

Speaking to Axios, a senior US official who used military terms for strikes and other attacks said: “We have decided to stop all kinetic activity.” Another official said the two sides would stand down “for now”, adding that “vessels can move freely” as technical talks continue. Both officials and a third source confirmed the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday.

This is a developing story. Further details were awaited.