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US-Iran talks in Qatar reportedly made positive progress as both sides agreed to a week-long Strait of Hormuz de-escalation, though disputes over shipping control remain.
Boats anchored off Oman’s northern Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz (Photo: AP)
The United States and Iran have agreed to a week-long de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz to ease tensions as indirect negotiations continue in Qatar, the New York Post reported, citing a US official.
The temporary arrangement is aimed at ensuring calm while technical teams from both countries continue discussions through mediators.
According to the report, the agreement also comes ahead of America’s Fourth of July celebrations and funeral ceremonies for Iran’s previous Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
Despite the temporary pause in tensions, the two sides remain divided over who should ultimately control shipping through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz.
Tensions in the waterway had escalated after Iran struck a ship sailing near Oman last week, prompting the United States to respond with attacks on Iranian missile and drone storage sites along the Strait of Hormuz.
According to the report, Iran continues to maintain that it has the authority to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and has demanded the right to impose transit fees after current interim arrangements expire.
The Trump administration, however, has rejected Iran’s position, arguing that the strait is an international waterway and that Tehran cannot levy charges on passing vessels.
The report said the dispute has emerged as one of the biggest obstacles in broader negotiations between the two countries, with US officials pressing Tehran to drop its demands in exchange for the economic benefits of a wider agreement.
The New York Post further reported that the US-Iran memorandum of understanding states that Iran will work with Oman to “define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz in discussions with other Persian Gulf Littoral States.”
However, Washington and Tehran reportedly interpret the provision differently.
According to the report, senior US officials believe the language effectively prevents Iran from charging fees because Gulf countries would not accept such an arrangement.
Iran, however, reportedly views the provision as recognition of its sovereign authority over the waterway and as a framework for discussions with regional stakeholders.
IRANIAN MEDIA CLAIMS US ACCEPTED FEE FRAMEWORK
The New York Post, citing IRGC-affiliated Fars News, reported that an unidentified source claimed the memorandum had been amended during the final stages of negotiations.
“In the final moments of the negotiations, the text of the memorandum of understanding was amended to clearly and explicitly emphasise the issue of the Iranian-Omani sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz,” the source was quoted as saying.
The report further quoted the source as saying, “The use of the term ‘maritime services’ means that the United States has accepted that fees will be paid to Iran.”
However, according to the report, American officials, including President Donald Trump, have rejected the suggestion that Tehran would be allowed to collect tolls or fees from ships using the strait.
QATAR SAYS TALKS MADE “POSITIVE PROGRESS”
Separately, the Associated Press reported that US and Iranian negotiators met separately on Wednesday with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, with Qatar saying that “positive progress” had been made.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said on X that the next round of discussions would be scheduled “at the earliest possible time” after funeral ceremonies for Iran’s previous supreme leader.
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, were in Qatar for the negotiations alongside Iran’s top negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi.
Negotiators were attempting to finalise technical details before political leaders consider a broader agreement, although differences over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon remain unresolved.
The Associated Press also reported that a foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz while using a route that Iran said had not been approved.
Iranian state television said the vessel became stranded after entering shallow waters and stressed that ships should follow the instructions of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard while transiting the strait.
According to AP, the Guard’s navy warned that “any entry or exit through routes other than the ‘Route of Authority’ in the Persian Gulf could lead to irreparable incidents.”
LEBANON, SHIPPING AND REGIONAL SECURITY ALSO ON AGENDA
AP reported that discussions in Qatar also covered Lebanon and regional security issues.
Iranian negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi said there were no direct talks with the American delegation and that discussions through mediators focused on Lebanon as well as plans to return some of Iran’s frozen assets.
The agency reported that Iran has called for an end to fighting involving Hezbollah and Israeli forces and has also demanded that Israel withdraw from territory it occupies in southern Lebanon.
Israel, AP reported, maintains that it must retain control of the area and preserve its ability to act against Hezbollah.
About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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