The White House said Saturday that Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump, and special envoy Steve Witkoff had departed for Doha, Qatar, for talks with Iran. However, Iran has signaled that it will block vessels using routes it has not designated, suggesting the negotiations could face difficulties.
According to the US online outlet Politico, White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt told Fox News that Kushner and Witkoff were heading to Qatar for "high-level talks." She added that "separately, technical talks will also be held."
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, told state television that "technical talks are not scheduled for this week," but made no mention of high-level talks, Politico reported. This can be interpreted as suggesting that, as Trump had indicated, high-level talks to discuss the Strait of Hormuz will be held in Doha, Qatar, on the 30th.
Still, the discussions are expected to be difficult. Gharibabadi warned that "Iran opposes the passage of vessels using routes within the Strait of Hormuz that Iran has not designated, and will block them." On the 25th, Iran carried out a drone attack on a Singapore-flagged container ship passing through Omani waters south of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran is also steadily preparing a plan to impose Hormuz transit fees after the 60-day ceasefire ends. Gharibabadi said, "If Oman is not willing to cooperate in establishing a Hormuz management system, Iran will push ahead with this work," while adding, "Today we confirmed Oman's prepared posture (willingness to cooperate)." He explained that experts from Iran and Oman would begin talks on the matter within the next few days.
