Key facts
- Indirect US-Iran talks resumed in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan.
- Iran refuses direct meetings with US envoys.
- Discussions focus on unfreezing $6 billion in Iranian assets and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran seeks international recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz and authority to charge vessels.
- US and Iran engaged in retaliatory strikes after incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Commercial shipping has largely halted in the Omani southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz.
Indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States concerning the release of at least $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets resumed in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday night. The talks, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, focus on the frozen funds and the critical Strait of Hormuz. However, prospects for a lasting peace deal have been complicated by Iran's stated refusal to meet directly with U.S. envoys.
Technical discussions are also underway to manage shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and secure a ceasefire. This follows a 14-point interim accord signed last month, which aimed to halt conflict and reopen the strait, setting a 60-day period for permanent peace deal negotiations. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, stated that US officials' trip to Doha had nothing to do with the Iranian delegation's visit and that negotiations for a final agreement had not yet begun.
The situation escalated over the weekend with Iran targeting a cargo ship in the strait via drone attack, prompting retaliatory strikes by US Central Command against Iranian military infrastructure. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps subsequently launched operations against US military sites in Kuwait and Bahrain. Commercial ships have largely ceased using the Omani southern corridor of the Strait of Hormuz following these incidents, though they continue to use an Iranian-approved northern corridor. Oman is reportedly discussing service fees for passage through the strait, rather than tolls.
US President Donald Trump claimed Iran had requested a meeting in Doha, but this was denied by Iran's foreign ministry. A US delegation to Doha includes envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. US officials indicated a decision was made to halt kinetic activity in advance of the talks. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Qatar would release $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.
Separately, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun announced troop deployment along Lebanon's southern border as part of an agreement with Israel, which requires Hezbollah to be disarmed before Israeli withdrawal. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that the military would not withdraw until Hezbollah is disarmed, though a pilot program for withdrawal from two locations is planned. A senior Hezbollah official described the accord as effectively dead and stated Hezbollah would retain its weapons, relying on Iran to represent its interests in negotiations.