US, Iran to hold talks on Hormuz restoration June 30 in Qatar

The United States and Iran have agreed to meet in Doha, Qatar, on June 30 to discuss issues concerning the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a move back to the negotiating table following recent military confrontations.

The agreement to hold talks comes after a fragile 11-day ceasefire was tested by military clashes between the two nations, shortly after signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for a cessation of hostilities on June 17. High-ranking U.S. officials indicated that both sides have agreed to de-escalate and cease all physical attacks, ensuring freedom of navigation for vessels.

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The management of the Strait of Hormuz and the complete restoration of maritime traffic are entirely Iran's responsibility. No country or institution has any responsibility or authority over this matter.

Initially, the U.S. and Iran planned to discuss Iran's nuclear program in Switzerland. However, escalating military tensions in the Strait of Hormuz led to the relocation of the talks to Doha and a shift in the agenda to focus on passage through the strait. Iran had previously canceled working-level talks scheduled for June 28, citing unmet conditions related to frozen assets.

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Both sides have agreed to step back and cease all physical attack activities. Vessels can move freely.

The central conflict revolves around differing interpretations of control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi asserted that the management of the strait and the restoration of maritime traffic are solely Iran's responsibility, with no other nation or entity holding authority. He pledged to reopen the strait to pre-war levels within 30 days, as per the MOU, but warned against attempts to establish separate routes outside Iranian control, such as along Oman's coast, as they would only heighten tensions.

The U.S. maintains its stance, based on customary international law, that free passage must be guaranteed in international waters, which cannot be exclusively controlled by any single nation. These disagreements led to military actions, including Iran's attacks on a Singapore-flagged container ship and a Panama-flagged oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz, and subsequent U.S. retaliatory strikes on Iranian military assets. While the U.S. reported minimal damage from Iranian attacks, some civilian casualties and property damage occurred in Bahrain and Kuwait.

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The U.S. and Iran have both strongly expressed their respective interpretations of the MOU through military action. Mediation by Qatar and Pakistan has been effective, bringing both sides back to the diplomatic track.