News
The unclear ceasefire between Washington and Tehran entered a new test after U.S. Central Command announced strikes in southern Iran, targeting missile launch sites and boats it said were attempting to lay mines near the Strait of Hormuz.
The strikes coincided with negotiations in Doha over Iran’s frozen funds, one of the most sensitive issues in the initial understanding.
Details
• Tasnim news agency: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s visit to Qatar aimed to reach an agreement on how to implement Iran’s demands regarding its frozen funds.
• Iranian source: Tehran insists on access to $12 billion in frozen funds at the start of the memorandum of understanding announcement.
• Majed Al Ansari: Reports claiming Qatar offered Iran $12 billion to secure the agreement are false.
• The enriched uranium file remains the most dangerous sticking point, after Trump demanded that Iran hand over its stockpile or destroy it under acceptable supervision, while Tehran denies that nuclear details have been finalized.
• Marco Rubio says talks are continuing through Qatar, but indicated that Washington would seek another path if diplomacy fails.
What next?
The seriousness of the understanding will be measured by three issues: the formula for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the mechanism for access to Iran’s frozen funds, and the nature of Iran’s commitment on enriched uranium. So far, there is no solid ground for a stable agreement, only a fragile preliminary understanding.
Sources
