US-Iran Qatar Talks Continue Amid Strait Tensions

U.S. and Iranian negotiators held separate talks in Qatar on Wednesday through Qatari and Pakistani mediators, with both sides agreeing to continue discussions after what Qatar described as “positive progress.”

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari said the next round of talks would be held “at the earliest possible time” following the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, scheduled to begin Saturday in Tehran.

The U.S. delegation included Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump. Iran was represented by chief negotiator Kazem Gharibabadi.

The discussions focused on issues that could help pave the way for a broader agreement between senior leaders. However, major differences remain, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz and Lebanon.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that a foreign container ship ran aground in the Strait of Hormuz after using a route not approved by Iran. No additional details about the vessel were released.

The incident appeared to reinforce Tehran’s claim of authority over the strategic waterway, which is internationally recognised as one of the world’s most critical shipping routes. During peacetime, nearly one-fifth of global oil and natural gas supplies pass through the strait.

Since military operations involving the United States and Israel against Iran began on Feb. 28, Tehran has repeatedly signaled its ability to disrupt shipping through the strait, increasing pressure on global energy markets and trade.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most sensitive issues in the negotiations.

Under an interim arrangement, Iran and the United States had agreed to allow vessels to pass through the waterway without charges for 60 days. However, Tehran later insisted on greater control over shipping routes and proposed collecting transit fees, challenging long-established international practice.

The United States and several Gulf Arab nations have rejected the proposal. Efforts by Oman and a U.N. agency to establish an alternative route closer to Omani waters were further complicated by recent attacks across the Middle East, highlighting persistent regional instability.

Iranian state television said the stranded vessel became stuck after navigating shallow waters and failing to follow approved instructions. It added that ships should comply with directions issued by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard in the strait.

The Revolutionary Guard’s navy has repeatedly warned that vessels using routes outside what it calls the “Route of Authority” in the Persian Gulf risk serious incidents.

The report did not mention two ships recently attacked by Iran after attempting to leave the strait without Tehran’s approval, including one carrying crude oil from Qatar.

On Wednesday, Witkoff and Kushner also met Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to the Qatari government.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said discussions also covered shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

“Obviously, we’re worried about the nuclear issue,” Vance told reporters. “We’re going to start talking about that.”

Sheikh Mohammed separately met Gharibabadi and other Iranian officials, with Pakistani mediators also taking part. According to Iranian state media, Gharibabadi said no direct talks were held with the U.S. delegation, and discussions through mediators focused on Lebanon and efforts to return some of Iran’s frozen assets.

Lebanon remains another major sticking point. Iran has demanded an end to fighting between the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group and Israeli forces, while also calling for Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Israel, however, insists it must maintain control of the area and preserve its ability to target Hezbollah, which has continued attacks into northern Israel.

Despite a sharp decline in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz following recent attacks, more countries have reported that their vessels are exiting the area safely.

Thailand said 10 of its 11 flagged or chartered vessels had safely passed through the strait. South Korean officials also said all but two of the country’s 26 stranded vessels had departed safely.

In a separate development, the U.S. Navy said one crew member was missing after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter made an emergency water landing in the Arabian Sea early Wednesday.

The Navy’s 5th Fleet said there was “no indication the emergency was caused by hostile action.” Three of the helicopter’s four crew members were rescued, while search operations for the missing crew member continued.

The helicopter was assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush, one of two U.S. aircraft carriers operating in waters near Iran.