US and Iran halt strikes then resume attacks amid Strait of Hormuz talks

On June 17 the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to halt kinetic activity for 60 days and to prepare for diplomatic talks, now set for Qatar, aimed at de‑escalating the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz. A senior U.S. official said, “We decided to stop all the kinetic activity.”

Despite the agreement, U.S. Central Command reported on June 27 that U.S. forces conducted additional strikes against multiple Iranian targets, including surveillance, communications and air‑defense sites. CENTCOM said the strikes were a direct response to continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping, citing a drone attack on a tanker transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The contrasting actions illustrate the fragile cease‑fire and ongoing tension between the two nations over the strategically vital waterway.