U.S. and Iran agree to halt strikes and meet this week, U.S. official says

The U.S. and https://www.axios.com/world/iran" target="_blank">Iran agreed to stop attacking each other, according to a senior U.S. official, as the two sides plan to meet Tuesday in Qatar's capital to work out their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.

Why it matters: The ceasefire is barely 11 days old and already on https://www.axios.com/2026/06/28/us-iran-ceasefire-could-go-up-in-flames" target="_blank">shaky ground with renewed strikes by both sides and President Trump's https://truthsocial.com/%40realDonaldTrump/posts/116824603632739697" target="_blank">threat to restart the war and "complete the job."

• The renewed fighting was sparked by competing interpretations of the https://www.axios.com/2026/06/17/read-full-us-iran-deal-memorandum-understanding" target="_blank">memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war — especially its terms on the Strait of Hormuz.

The latest: "We decided to stop all the kinetic activity," a senior U.S. official tells Axios, using the military's term for strikes and other attacks.

• A second U.S. official tells Axios both sides will stand down "for now" and that "vessels can move freely" as technical talks are set to continue.
• Both U.S. officials and a third source with knowledge confirmed Tuesday's planned meeting.

Catch up quick: Under the MOU, Iran committed to make its best efforts to allow safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait.

In return, the U.S. lifted its blockade of Iranian ports.

• During negotiations in Switzerland last week, the U.S. delegation — headed by Vice President https://www.axios.com/2026/06/20/vance-iran-talks-switzerland" target="_self">Vance — agreed with Iran to establish a "hotline" between the U.S. military and the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), Iran's military command, to coordinate traffic in the strait.
• As of Saturday, the "hotline" still wasn't operational even as Iran started claiming, again, that ships need to coordinate passage.

State of play: The Tuesday talks were originally set to happen in Switzerland to address Iran's nuclear program, a source with knowledge of the talks said.

The escalation moved them to a different venue and refocused them on the Strait of Hormuz.

• Nick Stewart, who heads the U.S. technical team, is expected to participate in the talks, according to a U.S. official and a source with knowledge.
• The White House didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

Editor's note: This is a breaking news story and will be updated.