US and Iran Hold Indirect Doha Talks Amid Tensions Over Frozen Assets, Strait of Hormuz
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US and Iranian delegations are currently engaged in indirect technical talks in Doha, Qatar, aiming to move forward on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed last month to de-escalate their recent conflict. Despite these diplomatic efforts, direct meetings between the two sides are off the table, with Iran Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clearly stating no such plans are in place for the coming days. Mediators from Qatar and Pakistan are facilitating discussions, which are heavily focused on critical issues like the release of Iran frozen assets and the contentious management of the Strait of Hormuz. These high-stakes talks follow a 60-day ceasefire agreed upon in the Islamabad Memorandum on June 17, which sought to halt hostilities after a period of intense conflict. However, tensions remain visibly high. Reports indicate fresh exchanges of fire and a container ship running aground in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz just last weekend, underlining the fragile peace. While US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about "very good meetings" and progress on "denuclearization", Iranian chief negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf has stressed that a final agreement hinges on the full implementation of key MoU provisions, particularly regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the unfreezing of Iran $6 billion in assets held in Qatar. The immediate future of these negotiations will determine if the technical talks can bridge the significant gaps between the two nations, especially on Iran demands for full access to its frozen funds and control over shipping tolls in the Strait of Hormuz. US Vice President JD Vance maintains that America holds 'all the cards' in these discussions, stating that Iran nuclear program and military have been 'destroyed' regardless of the negotiation's outcome. As the 60-day window for the MoU progresses, the world watches to see if indirect diplomacy can pave the way for a more stable resolution in the volatile Middle East.