The United States and Iran convened technical discussions in Qatar on Wednesday with the goal of establishing a lasting peace agreement, reopening normal shipping operations through the Strait of Hormuz, and advancing a ceasefire reached last month. These talks are part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the region following months of conflict.
Held in Doha under the mediation of Qatar and Pakistan, the negotiations build upon a 14-point interim agreement signed in June. This accord had halted hostilities triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and initiated a 60-day period for negotiating a permanent peace settlement.
Notably, Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Qatar’s prime minister to support the preparatory phase of the talks, though they are not directly involved in the technical discussions themselves.
The talks began late Tuesday and continued into Wednesday, with negotiators and technical experts addressing critical issues such as the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz and the release of $6 billion in Iranian assets currently frozen abroad. An Iranian official confirmed these focal points.
The United States is demanding assurances for the uninterrupted passage of commercial vessels through this strategic waterway. Meanwhile, Iran seeks international acknowledgment of its sovereignty over the strait and the right to impose transit fees on ships entering or exiting the Gulf.
Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz accounted for roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Although shipping has partially resumed, analysts caution that the situation remains fragile. Iranian state media reported on Wednesday that a foreign container ship ran aground after straying into shallow waters outside the designated shipping lane established by Iranian authorities.
The interim agreement follows weeks of military exchanges between Washington and Tehran, fueled by differing interpretations of the deal’s terms. Oil prices dropped more than 1 percent on Wednesday as markets closely monitored the progress of these negotiations.
In a significant development, the agreement also encompasses efforts to reduce tensions in Lebanon. The United States has supported separate talks between Israel and the Lebanese government aimed at resolving hostilities involving Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. Diplomatic contacts on Lebanon remained intensive up until Tuesday evening.
Both Washington and Tehran face increasing domestic pressure to avoid renewed escalation. President Trump aims to minimize the economic impact of the conflict ahead of the US midterm elections in November, while Iran’s leadership contends with growing public dissatisfaction amid economic difficulties.
