Qatar Says Hormuz Deal Key to Resuming US-Iran Talks

DOHA: Qatar, which is helping mediate the stalled US-Iran talks, said Tuesday that an agreement between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz could help restart negotiations to end the Middle East war.

The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy route. After the conflict between the United States and Iran began in late February, Iran effectively closed the waterway, which normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and LNG supplies during peacetime.

Iran and Oman have been discussing arrangements for navigation through the strait for several weeks. Tehran has said that the geographical coordinates of the proposed route between the two countries “have been agreed upon.”

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said Qatar was waiting for an agreement between Oman and Iran on the strait. He said such an agreement could allow the US and Iran to return to negotiations.

“The agreement over the Strait of Hormuz would make it much easier for us to resume the talks between the United States and Iran,” he said.

A memorandum of understanding signed between Iran and the United States in June later collapsed over disagreements about the management of the strait.

Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf said Tuesday that the strategic waterway would not be reopened until the United States meets Tehran’s demands, including lifting a naval blockade.

Iran said on Monday that talks were “continuing in a serious manner” and that the two sides were exchanging views on the text of a “joint statement.”

Iran has required vessels to seek permission and pay transit service fees before passing through the strait. The United States and several regional countries have opposed the move. Iran has also targeted vessels that attempted to pass through without requesting permission.

US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if it “gets in the way” of an agreement with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. He has also called on Tehran to surrender as the conflict continues to create political pressure in the United States.