US-Iran Doha talks focus on Hormuz reopening

US-Iran Doha Talks Focus On Hormuz Reopening

Diplomatic efforts to end the US-Iran conflict have moved to Doha, where senior Iranian officials, including Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, held talks with Qatar’s prime minister. The discussions are centred on the Strait of Hormuz reopening talks, one of the world’s most important shipping routes, and resolving concerns over Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said diplomacy would be given every chance, but warned that Washington would consider another path if talks failed. US President Donald Trump also said no deal had been finalised and maintained that the US naval blockade around Iran would continue until a formal agreement was signed.

Nuclear Dispute And Frozen Assets Remain Key Issues

Iran said progress had been made on some points, though both sides are still not close to a final deal. A proposed 14-point framework reportedly focuses on ending hostilities and reopening the strait. However, sanctions relief, frozen Iranian assets, Iran’s nuclear programme, and regional tensions involving Israel and Hezbollah remain major hurdles.

Explosions were reported near Bandar Abbas, close to the Strait of Hormuz, while fighting continued in Lebanon between Israeli forces and Hezbollah. Oil prices dropped on hopes of diplomacy, but the wider West Asia crisis remains uncertain.