US Presses Iran to Drop Hormuz Toll Demand in Doha Talks

JPost and Reuters-carried gCaptain report that Doha technical talks focused on Hormuz shipping and frozen Iranian assets, with Washington seeking free navigation while Tehran presses a role over the strait. Iran International says deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi reported the talks concluded without a U.S. delegation present and that an emergency channel would be created for alleged MoU breaches. Qatar's Foreign Ministry confirms no high-level talks were taking place. New York Post reports U.S. officials say no $6 billion in frozen funds will be released unless Iran meets milestones, while Iran International says 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.