US, Iran may return to negotiations after days of tit-for-tat attacks

The US and Iran have agreed to stand down for now after mutual attacks in and around the Strait of Hormuz over the past few days, and the two sides plan to renew talks in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday to work out their dispute, according to US media reports.

Yesterday, the US Central Command released footage purportedly showing strikes and bursts of smoke on Iranian facilities that it said their Navy and Air Force fighter jets carried out in response to another alleged ship attack in the Persian Gulf.

Tehran has answered with drone and missile strikes targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, two American allies in the region, while threatening to completely pause negotiations to end the war.

A video released by Iran's military is said to show missiles being fired at undisclosed locations earlier that day.

The four-day cycle of back and forth strikes has once again strained the framework understanding signed on June 17th that was supposed to halt fighting during 60 days of negotiations.

An AP reporter says: "It's only been a week since Vice President JD Vance wrapped up his meetings with Iran, but already the preliminary agreement meant to wind down the war appears to be unravelling. This back and forth violence stems from disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz. The US says that under the interim deal, the strait is supposed to be open to international shipping. Iran closed the strait during the war and it's trying to retain some control there as leverage in these ongoing ceasefire talks."

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, which once carried a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas, remains a fraction of pre-war levels.

Iranian authorities have insisted the imposition of a toll system for all ships transiting the strait, saying Tehran alone is responsible for managing and fully reopening maritime traffic.

Media reports indicate a growing number of vessels seek to take a southern route off the Omani coastline which is expanded by the US Navy to evade Iran's oversight, whereas Tehran issues warning that any attempt by ships to bypass its preferred route would "increase tensions."

According to multiple US media, Washington has agreed with Tehran to stop all the kinetic activity and talks will remain on track.

Pakistan, a key mediator, says US-Iran negotiations are expected to resume Tuesday on the terms of their interim deal.

The meeting was originally set to take place in Switzerland and centred around Iran's nuclear programme, but later moved to Doha, shifting the focus to shipping security.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says on Monday 6 billion US dollars of Iran's assets held in Qatar "should be released" and returned to the country as negotiations with the United States were challenged by recent hostilities at sea.