US, Iran to halt strikes 'for now,' to meet in Doha over Hormuz Strait: Report
Washington, June 29
The United States and Iran have agreed to pause mutual attacks "for now" and hold talks on Tuesday in Doha, the capital of Qatar, to work out their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, US media outlet Axios reported.
The two sides will stand down "for now" and "vessels can move freely" as technical talks are set to continue, a US official was quoted as saying.
The Tuesday talks were originally set to be held in Switzerland and focused on Iran's nuclear program. However, renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz prompted the talks to be moved to Doha, shifting the focus to shipping security in the strategic waterway, Xinhua news agency reported.
During negotiations in Switzerland a week ago, the US delegation agreed with Iran to establish a "hotline" between the US military and Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps to coordinate traffic in the strait.
However, as of Saturday, the "hotline" still wasn't operational, according to the report.
The United States conducted strikes on Iranian targets on Friday and Saturday, citing "continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping" in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran responded by striking US military positions in the region.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States had launched fresh air strikes on Iranian military targets after accusing Tehran of again violating the ceasefire agreement by attacking a commercial oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the Islamic Republic "will no longer exist" if the attacks continue.
The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said the strikes were carried out at the President's direction after Iran allegedly launched a one-way attack drone that hit the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku at 4:30 a.m. ET.
The tanker was transiting near the Strait of Hormuz carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil.
In a Truth Social post, Trump said US aircraft had struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations as well as coastal radar sites.
"United States aircraft just struck Iranian missile and drone storage locations, and coastal radar sites, for violating the Cease Fire Agreement, AGAIN! It is very possible that they will never learn!"
"There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started. If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!" the President wrote.
CENTCOM said Iran had been given an opportunity to comply with the ceasefire after Friday's US strikes in response to the attack on M/V Ever Lovely.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Trump's language is dangerous. Saying Iran "will no longer exist" is not the way a world leader should talk. India has good relations with both countries, and we should urge restraint. The hotline idea is good but it needs to work fast.
As an Indian, I'm concerned about the impact on oil prices. Every time there's tension in Hormuz, we end up paying more at the pump. Modi government should be ready with strategic reserves and alternative routes. 😤
The strikes on commercial tankers are alarming. Panama-flagged or not, that's a threat to global trade. India should offer to mediate in these talks, given our ties with both sides and our stake in stability.
A ceasefire is good but I feel like both sides are playing games. Iran violating the agreement, US striking back...no one wants peace. Meanwhile India's energy imports suffer. Our diplomats should be pushing for a longer-term solution in UN.
Trump's threats remind me of how he escalated tensions in 2020. Hotline not working is a joke. India has proven diplomacy works in tough spots - like our role in Ukraine grain deal. We should step up here too.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.