Tehran, May 25, (dpa/GNA) – An Iranian delegation is travelling to the Qatari capital Doha, amid negotiations between the United States and Iran over ending the war.
Iran’s chief negotiator and parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, will brief Qatar’s leadership on details of the talks with Washington, the Iranian state media outlet IRIB reported on Monday. Also in Doha is Iranian central bank chief Abdolnaser Hemmati. It had previously emerged that he travelled to the Qatari capital to examine the possible release of Iranian assets frozen there.
Assets linked to Iran’s oil trade have been frozen in Qatari financial institutions for years. Any release of the funds could mark an initial step toward easing US sanctions on Iran.
Qatar has so far acted largely behind the scenes as a mediator in talks between Tehran and Washington. A Qatari delegation recently visited Tehran, while Pakistan is considered the official mediator in the negotiations.
Both the US and Iran have spoken publicly in recent days about the possible conclusion of a framework agreement, aimed at ending hostilities. The proposed deal is said by the sides to include a 60-day ceasefire extension to allow for further negotiations, as well as provisions related to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, accounts of other elements of the agreement have differed considerably.
US President Donald Trump raised hopes on Saturday when he said, a deal had been “largely negotiated.” But hours later he appeared to temper expectations of a breakthrough, saying he had told his negotiators “not to rush into a deal” with Iran and that the US blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place.
GNA