The United States and Iran are engaging in indirect, low-level technical talks in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday. The discussion will be facilitated by Qatari and Pakistani mediators. This development comes as Iran and Qatar are set to hold talks regarding the implementation of Tehran's agreement with the U.S. and the release of Iran's frozen assets.
In a separate development, a foreign-flagged container ship has run aground in the Strait of Hormuz. The ship reportedly deviated from its planned shipping route, entering shallow waters outside the corridor approved by Iran. Authorities in Iran have warned ship captains, owners, and shipping companies that travelling outside the designated route could make them a target.
Iran's military has emphasized the importance of coordinating travel through the waterway with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' navy, which could involve paying tolls. Ships are given scheduled passage and security escort as they enter and exit the travel route, according to Iranian officials.
Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, has warned that the country could strike Iran again "if it deemed it necessary". Katz made the statement during a memorial ceremony for those killed in the 2006 war in Lebanon, stating that Israel had attacked Iran twice in the past with proactive, preemptive strikes, and would do so again if necessary.
Iran-Qatar talks will involve the implementation of Iran's agreement with the U.S. and the release of Iran's frozen assets, according to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei. Baghaei stated that Tehran's negotiating team had no plan to meet with the U.S. delegation in the coming days.
On Tuesday, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said that $6 billion of Iran's frozen funds have not been transferred to Tehran, but that this would happen "according to the advancement of negotiations".
