US-Iran Diplomacy Continues, Strait of Hormuz Becomes Hotspot in Negotiations
US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner reportedly held positive discussions in Qatar. A senior administration official said technical talks with Iran continued to show progress, as the two countries work to turn an interim peace deal into a permanent end to the war.
The two US envoys were in Doha on Tuesday as part of indirect talks between Washington and Tehran. The agreement signed last month opened up 60 days of negotiations, but the process remains challenging following clashes in the Strait of Hormuz and disputes over the management of the strategic waterway.
Talks between US and Iranian officials through mediators reportedly continued on Wednesday, although Witkoff and Kushner did not participate in that round. Meanwhile, Tehran has formed a working group to discuss implementing the interim agreement and drafting a final peace deal.
Uncertainty still looms over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed before the war. Iran has asserted its desire to maintain control over maritime traffic in the region and has signaled that some vessels may be subject to transit fees in the future.
The plan has been met with opposition from the United States, Europe, and most Gulf Arab states. Under the interim agreement, Iran will not collect tolls for 60 days, but leaves open the possibility of some fees after that period.
On the market side, Brent oil prices fell 0.9% to just above US$72 per barrel, extending earlier weakness due to growing hopes that the ceasefire will hold. However, several major issues remain unresolved, including the release of frozen Iranian funds and the future of the country's nuclear program. (gn)
Source: Newsmaker.id
