Iranian Delegation Arrives in Qatar for Peace Talks with the US. Focus on the Strait of Hormuz, Nuclear Program and Frozen Assets
Iran’s parliament speaker, foreign minister and central bank chief will discuss ending the war, lifting sanctions and unfreezing funds
As reported by CCTV+, a high-ranking Iranian delegation arrived in Doha on Monday for talks with Qatari officials on a possible peace agreement with the United States, Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported.
The delegation includes, among others, Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The visit aims to advance diplomatic efforts undertaken with Pakistan’s mediation in recent weeks to end the “aggressive war” launched by the US and Israel against Iran.
Ghalibaf is expected to meet with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to discuss bilateral issues, as well as talks on ending the war and lifting sanctions, according to a separate Mehr report. The delegation also includes Central Bank of Iran Governor Abdolnasser Hemmati, who will discuss the possibility of unfreezing Iranian funds as part of a final agreement.
Meanwhile, a source in Qatar said the discussions may focus on the security of the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium and the issue of frozen Iranian assets held abroad.
Iran and the US reached a ceasefire agreement on April 8 after 40 days of fighting. After the truce, they held one round of peace talks in Islamabad, Pakistan, on April 11 and 12, which did not lead to an agreement. Over the past few weeks, the sides have exchanged several proposed plans outlining conditions for achieving peace through Pakistani mediation.
The talks in Doha are not just a meeting of diplomats. They are an attempt to end a war that has already lasted two months. Iran has brought the cream of its political and economic leadership. Qatar is mediating. Pakistan is also involved.
The issues on the table: the strait, uranium, money. Everything that started the war. And everything without which peace is impossible. The sides have already exchanged plans. But there is no agreement yet. The question is not whether peace will happen. The question is at what cost. And who will pay.
