US, Iran agree to halt military operations, hold talks in Doha Tuesday

By Seo Ji-yeon, The Herald Business

The United States and Iran have agreed to halt mutual attacks following armed conflict over the Strait of Hormuz and will hold talks in Doha, Qatar, this week, Axios reported Sunday.

Citing a senior US official, Axios said the two countries agreed to stop military operations against each other. "We have decided to halt all physical military operations," the official said.

The talks had originally been scheduled in Switzerland to discuss Iran's nuclear program. After Iran attacked a civilian merchant vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz on June 25, however, the US launched retaliatory airstrikes and Iran struck back. The venue shifted to Doha and the agenda moved away from nuclear issues toward resolving the Strait of Hormuz dispute.

The mutual agreement to pause military action raises the prospect of some easing of tensions in the Middle East, though whether negotiations will proceed smoothly remains uncertain. Iran seeks to maintain its influence over the strait, while the United States insists on guaranteeing freedom of navigation for international shipping — a gap that leaves the two sides far apart.

However, analysts say both countries have strong incentives to keep talking, given the heavy economic and military costs a full-scale war would impose on each side.

Tuesday's Doha talks are expected to focus first on measures to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz and steps to reduce tensions. Depending on the outcome, the stalled nuclear negotiations could also return to the table.