Qatar Denies High-Level US-Iran Meetings Amid Strait of Hormuz Discussions
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Majid Al-Ansari, the spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has clarified that there will be no high-level meetings between the United States and Iran. He indicated that senior US officials, including David Satterfield and possibly others involved in negotiations, would be in Qatar to engage with mediators and discuss the progress of ongoing talks. Al-Ansari emphasized that these discussions do not involve direct meetings with Iranian officials.
Further elaborating on the financial aspects, Al-Ansari noted that $6 billion in previously frozen Iranian assets have yet to be transferred to Tehran. The transfer of these blocked funds is contingent upon the agreement of both parties involved in the negotiations.
A significant focus of the discussions, according to Al-Ansari, is the Strait of Hormuz and the mechanisms for its reopening and the resumption of maritime navigation. Qatar is coordinating with Oman on matters related to the Strait of Hormuz, including ensuring the safe passage of vessels. The primary objective for Qatar is to guarantee the safety of navigation through the Strait and its clearance of mines.
Al-Ansari asserted that freedom of navigation is a guaranteed right for all countries of the Persian Gulf, and any closure or threat to its security is unacceptable. He stated that the current priority is to restore regional security and peace to pre-war levels. A direct communication line for de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz has been utilized to manage recent conflicts.
The release of frozen assets, he added, is linked to the progress of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. Qatar also expressed its appreciation for France’s participation in the efforts to clear the Strait of Hormuz of mines. Al-Ansari reiterated the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz, its reopening, and the resumption of shipping, underscoring that freedom of navigation is a fundamental right for all Persian Gulf nations and that any threat to its security is intolerable. Despite the escalation of tensions, technical meetings are continuing, but no high-level US-Iran summits are currently planned in Doha.
