The United States and Iran have agreed to pause military attacks and hold fresh talks in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to resolve their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz. The decision came after both countries exchanged strikes across the Persian Gulf over the weekend despite a previously signed memorandum of understanding (MoU). The latest agreement has eased immediate fears of another major conflict in the Middle East and has raised hopes for a diplomatic solution.

The ceasefire had already become fragile after both sides launched fresh attacks over the weekend. The renewed violence increased tensions across the region and created concerns about the future of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime trade routes.

The latest round of fighting began after commercial vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz came under attack. The United States accused Iran of threatening commercial shipping and responded by bombing several Iranian military sites. Iran denied any involvement in the initial attacks on the vessels. It later launched retaliatory strikes on American military facilities in Kuwait and Bahrain.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi strongly criticised the US military action. He said the American strikes violated both the United Nations Charter and the memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries. US President Donald Trump defended the military operation. He said American forces had targeted Iranian missile, drone and radar facilities after Tehran violated the ceasefire agreement.

The growing military exchanges raised fears that the conflict could once again spread across the Middle East. The situation raised concerns about global trade passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

The two countries have now agreed to stop military operations and return to negotiations. "We decided to stop all the kinetic activity," a senior US official told Axios. Kinetic activity refers to military strikes and other forms of armed attacks.

Another US official said both countries would stand down, "for now", and added that "vessels can move freely" in the Strait of Hormuz while technical discussions continue. The official also confirmed that negotiations will resume on Tuesday in Qatar.

The talks were originally planned to take place in Switzerland and were expected to focus on Iran's nuclear programme. However, the weekend escalation forced both sides to change the venue and shift the main agenda to the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, Nick Stewart, who leads the US technical team, is expected to take part in the discussions.

The latest conflict between the United States and Iran started over different interpretations of the memorandum of understanding signed to end the earlier phase of the war. Both governments accused each other of violating the agreement. The main disagreement centred on Article 5, which outlines the reopening and management of the Strait of Hormuz.

Article 5 states, "Upon the signing of this MoU, the Islamic Republic of Iran will make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge, for 60 days only, from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa. The traffic of commercial vessels will immediately start, and considering the need for removing the technical and military obstacles, and demining by the Islamic Republic of Iran will be instated within 30 days”.

The Islamic Republic of Iran will conduct a dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussion with other Persian Gulf littoral states in line with the applicable international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz."

Article 5 provides the roadmap for restoring commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway carries nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply, making it one of the most important shipping routes in the world.

Under the agreement, Iran committed to ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels without charging transit fees for 60 days. The country also agreed to remove military and technical obstacles, including sea mines, within 30 days to restore normal maritime movement.

The agreement also requires Iran to hold discussions with Oman and other Gulf coastal countries on the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz. These discussions will follow international law and respect the sovereign rights of the coastal states bordering the strategic waterway.

The upcoming meeting in Doha will play a key role in deciding whether both countries can settle their differences through dialogue. The outcome will also influence the security of one of the world's busiest energy corridors and the stability of the wider Middle East.