US, Iran agree to pause attacks, meet in Qatar: Axios

The United States and Iran have reportedly agreed to halt recent bombardments and are planning to meet in Qatar this week, Axios reported Sunday. This alleged pause in hostilities comes two days after both nations accused each other of violating a ceasefire agreement signed on June 17.

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Washington could intensify its military offensive if Tehran continues with the attacks, to the point where the Islamic Republic "would cease to exist."

Earlier on Saturday, then-U.S. President Donald Trump had escalated his threats, warning that Washington might intensify its military offensive if Tehran continued its attacks, to the point where the Islamic Republic "would cease to exist." The report from Axios suggests that in addition to a pause in attacks, both countries have agreed that ships can continue to transit "freely" through the Strait of Hormuz while talks proceed.

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ships will be able to continue to transit "freely" through the Strait of Hormuz while talks continue.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) had reported a new series of strikes against multiple military targets in Iran on Saturday. These strikes were in response to a drone attack attributed to Tehran against the Panama-flagged tanker M/T Kiku in the Strait of Hormuz. This U.S. action followed Iran's accusation that Washington had violated a memorandum of understanding signed between them, justifying its subsequent response against U.S. targets as an act of "legitimate defense."

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Washington could intensify its military offensive if Tehran continues with the attacks, to the point where the Islamic Republic "would cease to exist."

These were the first exchanges of attacks since the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 17 to end hostilities and ensure free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while negotiating a final agreement on Iran's nuclear program.

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legitimate defense