Qatar and Pakistan Push to Reopen Strait of Hormuz
Fighting over the Strait of Hormuz has lasted nearly three months. Qatar sent mediators to Tehran to help restart talks.
Pakistan is also helping. Field Marshal Munir travelled to Tehran for talks.
Two issues are blocking progress. Iran wants to charge fees for ships passing through the strait.
The US wants Iran to hand over its highly enriched uranium. Talks aim to sign a deal on the strait first.
That deal would then lead to 30 days of talks on Iran's nuclear programme. In return the US would lift sanctions and asset freezes on Iran.
Discussion of the uranium demand may be delayed to keep strait talks moving. France has drafted a United Nations Security Council plan to create an international mission to restore shipping through the strait.
Stock prices rose during the deadlock. But oil prices moved up and down as the outcome stayed unclear.
Key Terms 5
- Strait of Hormuz Narrow sea channel between Iran and Oman; vital for world oil shipping
- Mediators People who help two sides in a dispute reach an agreement
- Highly enriched uranium A form of uranium that can be used to make nuclear weapons
- Sanctions Rules that stop a country from trading or accessing money abroad
- Nuclear programme Iran's plan to develop nuclear technology, which some countries oppose