The United States and Iran have agreed to suspend military operations and return to the negotiating table in Qatar on Tuesday, seeking to salvage a fragile ceasefire that came under severe strain after days of escalating military exchanges.

According to an Axios report, both sides have agreed to pause all 'kinetic activity' while technical-level discussions continue over the contentious issue of the Strait of Hormuz.

Senior US officials confirmed the development, with one official saying the two countries had decided to halt military action, while another said both sides would 'stand down for now,' allowing commercial vessels to move freely through the strategic waterway during negotiations.

The talks were initially scheduled to take place in Switzerland as part of broader discussions on the nuclear issue.

However, following the recent military flare-up, diplomats shifted the venue to Doha and narrowed the agenda exclusively to resolving differences over maritime operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Nick Stewart, who leads the US technical delegation, is expected to attend the meeting. The White House has not officially commented on the planned negotiations.

The latest crisis erupted just 11 days after both nations signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at easing regional tensions.

Under the agreement, Iran committed to ensuring the safe passage of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States agreed to lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports.

Negotiators meeting in Switzerland had also agreed to establish a direct military hotline between US forces and Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to coordinate maritime traffic and avoid misunderstandings.

However, the hotline had not become operational before fresh tensions surfaced over the weekend.

The dispute intensified after Tehran insisted that ships passing through the Strait coordinate directly with Iranian authorities.

Washington argues that the demand exceeds the terms agreed upon during earlier negotiations, with the differing interpretations quickly triggering a new round of military strikes.

The upcoming Doha meeting is now seen as a crucial opportunity for both countries to prevent the ceasefire from collapsing and restore confidence in the broader diplomatic process.