US and Iran peace agreement is holding – despite sabre-rattling from both sides

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Four super tankers carrying 8m barrels of crude from Saudi Arabia’s main export hub have transited the Strait of Hormuz. This is the most the kingdom has sent through the waterway since it was blockaded by Iran. It indicates that the interim peace agreement is holding, despite sabre-rattling by both the US and Iran stemming from disagreements about implementation. They have traded several rounds of strikes since the deal came into effect, and Iran insists it retains a right to regulate shipping in the strait. The latest round of talks to reach a longer-term deal concluded this week without any signs of tangible progress. Negotiations have now been paused for the funeral of Ayatollah Khamenei, which begins today and lasts for almost a week.