From the Guardian · · 2m
Qatar pushes Iran nuclear deal with Hormuz reopening
Qatar proposes lifting the US naval blockade and unfreezing Iranian assets in exchange for UN nuclear inspections and reopening a vital shipping strait.
In brief
Qatar proposes lifting the US naval blockade and unfreezing Iranian assets in exchange for UN nuclear inspections and reopening a vital shipping strait. Qatar is mediating a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and release eight billion dollars of frozen Iranian assets if Iran allows UN nuclear inspectors to visit…
Qatar's nuclear inspection proposal
Qatar is seeking to persuade Iran to allow UN nuclear weapons inspectors to visit Iran's bombed nuclear sites, including those housing the country's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Trump and the emir discuss the plan
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, spoke to Donald Trump about the proposal on Friday. The emir emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue and embracing diplomacy.
“emphasised the importance of continuing dialogue and embracing diplomacy as a means of resolving disputes, preventing further escalation in the region”
Trump still weighs military action
Trump is still considering whether to mount a further assault on Iranian nuclear sites, though the credibility of his threats is weaker after JD Vance said the war itself was critical to the Republican midterm…
What the US would offer Iran
Under the Qatar proposal, the US would immediately lift the naval blockade on Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and release a portion of the eight billion dollars of its frozen assets.
Iran's commitment on the strait
Iran would agree to visits by International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to its bombed nuclear facilities and would open the Strait of Hormuz on the second day via a route negotiated with Oman.
Iran's other demands remain unmet
Iran has multiple other preconditions for opening the strait including ending the war in Lebanon, withdrawal of US forces from the Iranian coastline, lifting some economic sanctions, and paying war reparations.
Iran distrusts the UN nuclear agency
Iran is wary of allowing UN nuclear inspectors back into the country, claiming it lost faith in Rafael Grossi, the head of the inspectorate, for failing to criticise the US for bombing Iran's nuclear sites.
Iran fears inspection data will be weaponised
Iran fears that material gathered by inspectors would be handed over as targeting data to the Americans and Israelis. It claims Grossi betrayed his duty to uphold the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.
The one thing
Qatar is mediating a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and release eight billion dollars of frozen Iranian assets if Iran allows UN nuclear inspectors to visit bombed nuclear sites.
