Iran and United States pause hostilities as mediated talks continue FAST-MOVING

Iran United States Strait of Hormuz Pakistan oil price drop

The United States halted its two‑week bombing campaign against Iran after senior military advisers warned that the operation had exhausted its targets. Iran announced it would likewise suspend its retaliatory attacks for as long as the U.S. pause remains in effect.

Iran reaffirmed that it still controls the Strait of Hormuz and is not seeking to resume peace talks, while communicating to Pakistan that it is ready to continue negotiations with the United States in Geneva, Doha or Islamabad. The talks are expected to follow the three‑phase framework outlined in the 2026 Islamabad Memorandum: first the Strait of Hormuz issue, then frozen Iranian assets, and finally the nuclear programme. Mediators – Pakistan, Oman and Qatar – continue exchanging messages between Tehran and Washington. Oil markets reacted sharply, with Brent crude falling about 9 % after the de‑escalation, and Iranian state media reported six ships turned back from the strait.

Entities: Doha · Esmaeil Baghaei · Geneva · Islamic Republic of Iran · Oman · Pakistan · Pakistan · Qatar · Strait of Hormuz · United States · United States of America

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 8 SOURCES] Iran told Pakistan it is ready to continue negotiations with the United States. (multiple sources)
[● 7 SOURCES] The negotiations could be held in Geneva, Doha or Islamabad. (multiple sources)
[● 6 SOURCES] Iran rejected the proposal to create a new passage through the Strait of Hormuz. (supported by articles b92d4b31-196d-4011-8871-40c085296489, 41e94476-24bc-4d3d-8974-9e10a885fed4)
[● 7 SOURCES] Negotiations are expected to proceed in three phases: first the Strait of Hormuz issue, then frozen Iranian assets, then the nuclear programme. (d8ebd137-9bed-41f1-be27-fd0529f89813, e5f38863-3a7f-4229-ab2c-00f53a5a66a9)
[● 6 SOURCES] The United States and Iran signed the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding on June 17, 2026. (supported by articles b92d4b31-196d-4011-8871-40c085296489, e39db0da-7551-49ed-8e6b-fb9aa9417fe1)
[● 3 SOURCES] Earlier negotiation rounds were held in Switzerland and Qatar with Pakistani leaders present. (multiple sources)
[● 3 SOURCES] Pakistan is evaluating a restart of US‑Iran talks, encouraged by China, amid rising Gulf escalation risk. (Pakistani sources)
[● 2 SOURCES] Iranian Foreign Minister Eskandar Momeni met Pakistani officials in Islamabad during a recent visit. (multiple sources)
[● 6 SOURCES] Iran informed Pakistan it is ready to continue negotiations with the United States.
[● 3 SOURCES] Iran says the negotiations are suspended, not concluded. (supported by articles 41e94476-24bc-4d3d-8974-9e10a885fed4, e0066c62-f370-4ae3-84e2-509adf0eacea)
[● 4 SOURCES] The United States has paused its attacks on Iran as of the recent weekend. (US command statements)
[● 2 SOURCES] Negotiations are to be conducted in three phases: first the Strait of Hormuz issue, then frozen Iranian assets, then the nuclear programme. (Al Arabiya reporting of Iranian sources)