US Presses Iran to Drop Hormuz Toll Demand in Doha Talks

Doha technical talks focused on Hormuz shipping and frozen Iranian assets, with Washington seeking free navigation while Tehran presses a role over the strait. Deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi reported the talks concluded without a U.S. delegation present and said an emergency channel would be created for alleged MoU breaches. Qatar's Foreign Ministry confirmed no high-level talks were taking place. U.S. officials said no $6 billion in frozen funds will be released unless Iran meets milestones, while the Iranian side said part of that money would buy goods based on Iran's needs. Israel should welcome real denuclearization and free shipping, but no Gulf bargain can mortgage Israeli freedom of action against Iran or Hezbollah.