A spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are in the Qatari capital, Doha, but will not hold direct talks with Iranian officials.
The spokesperson stated that the two envoys will instead meet with mediators to discuss the progress of ongoing negotiations. The spokesperson also noted that the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets has not yet been transferred to Tehran.
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesperson, the issue of the frozen Iranian funds is directly linked to the progress of negotiations between Tehran and Washington.
The spokesperson further revealed that an emergency communication channel was used in the Strait of Hormuz last week to help contain tensions following exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran.
The official added that Qatar is coordinating with Oman to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the strategically vital waterway and emphasized that Qatar considers freedom of navigation through the strait to be of utmost importance.
‘The Strait of Hormuz Is an Integral Part of Iran’s Sovereignty’
Meanwhile, an Iranian lawmaker stated that the Strait of Hormuz is “an integral part of Iran’s national sovereignty.”
Ebrahim Azizi, Chairman of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, reiterated Tehran’s position regarding the Strait of Hormuz and called for an end to Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon.
According to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, Azizi said:
“The strategic Strait of Hormuz is an integral part of Iran’s national sovereignty, and its administration is entirely under the control of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He added:
“Lebanon’s sovereignty will not be secured by disarming the resistance, but by ending occupation and aggression.”