US-Iran Technical Talks Set in Doha Amidst $6 Billion Asset Release Claim

An informed source told Reuters on Monday that technical teams from Iran and the United States, assigned to implement a memorandum of understanding, are scheduled to meet in Doha within days following an agreement between Washington and Tehran to halt reciprocal attacks after recent bombings.

The source added that mediators have established communication channels to manage any potential incidents and reduce tensions, noting that technical discussions will continue.

On Sunday, a senior US official informed Al-Sharq that technical talks regarding the implementation of the memorandum between the United States and Iran are proceeding according to the planned schedule and "as intended," emphasizing that "channels to prevent friction" between the two sides are operating normally.

Details on the $6 Billion Asset Release

Iranian President Masoud Beyzeshkian stated that the agreement with the United States includes lifting sanctions imposed on oil and petrochemical sectors.

He indicated that $6 billion out of a total $12 billion of Iranian funds held in Qatar will be released and returned to Iran. Beyzeshkian added that Iran is taking necessary steps to pursue the recovery of the remaining portion of these funds.

The United States has not confirmed the release of this amount to Tehran.

According to a senior US official speaking to Axios on Sunday, the United States and Iran reached an agreement to cease mutual attacks and hold a meeting in Doha on Tuesday to discuss resolving disputes related to the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Axios citing the official.

This agreement comes amid a truce lasting no more than 12 days, which appears fragile as attacks have resumed from both sides and US President Donald Trump has threatened to resume military action to "complete the mission."

Axios noted that the renewed fighting resulted from differing interpretations of the memorandum intended to end hostilities, particularly concerning the conditions for passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

US-Iran Meeting in Doha

The Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing US officials and representatives from countries involved in the negotiations, that the United States proposed holding talks with Iran during a summit in Doha, Qatar’s capital, aiming to restart stalled negotiations disrupted by recent reciprocal attacks.

Some officials told the newspaper that the summit details have yet to be finalized but could take place starting Tuesday, focusing on the Strait of Hormuz issue.

Officials from the United States and other involved countries indicated that the US and Iran agreed to end days of mutual fighting around the Strait of Hormuz and to resume talks between the parties.

A US official stated that ships will now be able to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz after navigation slowed during the period of reciprocal attacks.

Some officials mentioned that US-Iranian talks were initially scheduled to resume over the weekend in Switzerland but were delayed due to the fighting around the Strait of Hormuz.

The newspaper cited informed sources saying that the United States and Iran agreed during talks in Switzerland last week to establish a hotline to avoid attacks in the Strait of Hormuz, but this mechanism has not yet been activated.