Iran Officials in Qatar for Peace Talks, Frozen Funds Source Reveals

Iranian delegation arrives in Doha

A high-level Iranian delegation, including top negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Central Bank Chief Abdolnaser Hemmati, arrived in Doha on Monday to discuss an agreement with the US. The visit aims to address issues related to the Strait of Hormuz and highly enriched uranium.

The source stated that Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Abbas Araghchi, is also part of the delegation. They will focus on discussing frozen funds, which are addressed under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) as part of a final deal.

Iranian officials confirmed the visit via their official news agency IRNA, stating it is part of the diplomatic process. The US agreed to release some of Tehran’s frozen funds held in South Korean banks and end its naval blockade of ships traveling through the Strait of Hormuz.

In 2023, $6 billion of Iranian funds were frozen in Qatar, awaiting the release of five American citizens detained by Iran. However, these funds have not been released due to deteriorating relations between Washington and Tehran following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Pakistan has mediated peace talks between the US and Iran since a ceasefire took effect on April 8. Qatar, which has previously mediated between Iran and the US, is now playing an increasingly significant role in facilitating discussions.

Iran launched missile attacks against Gulf states, including Qatar, following US and Israeli strikes on February 28. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, crucial for global oil and natural gas trade, has also impacted energy-rich Gulf economies, including Qatar’s LNG exports.