Iranian media report that Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of Iran’s parliament, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have arrived in Doha for consultations regarding a possible agreement between Tehran and Washington.
According to the reports, discussions between the Iranian delegation and Qatari officials will focus on issues including the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles, and ongoing diplomatic efforts between Tehran and the United States.
Iranian Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati has also traveled to Doha. Fars News Agency reported that negotiations over the release of Iran’s frozen assets are among the key topics under discussion.
Reports indicate that a Qatari delegation visited Iran last week as part of mediation efforts between Tehran and Washington.
China’s state news agency Xinhua quoted a Qatari official as saying that the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s blocked financial assets, and enriched uranium reserves are central subjects in the Doha talks.
Meanwhile, Nikkei reported that the United States and Iran are discussing a proposal under which the Strait of Hormuz would reopen 30 days after an agreement is reached to end hostilities.
US President Donald Trump has said he is not rushing toward a deal with Iran and would only accept an agreement that is “acceptable.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stressed that Washington is giving diplomacy a chance before considering “other options.”
Rubio said a “fairly strong proposal” is currently on the table regarding reopening the Strait of Hormuz and launching “serious and time-bound” negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
At the same time, Trump warned that if negotiations fail, “new strikes” against Iran could follow.
On the Iranian side, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said that while some understandings have been reached, it is still too early to say that both sides are close to a final agreement.
Reuters has reported that disagreements remain over sanctions relief, the release of billions of dollars in Iranian assets, and issues linked to the Israel-Lebanon conflict.
