US-Iran Qatar Talks: Frozen Assets, Hormuz and Parallel Strikes

Iran’s delegation – Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Central Bank Governor Abdolnaser Hemmati – arrived in Doha on 25 May 2026 to negotiate a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Tehran demands release of $12 billion frozen in Qatar, while the MoU would extend the 60-day cease-fire and set a path to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The Jerusalem PostWIONIran delegation in Qatar's Doha for US talks on frozen assetsThe New ArabEuronewsIranian delegation visits Qatar for stalled US talks

The war began on 28 February 2026 after U.S.–Israeli strikes; Iran closed the Hormuz Strait, which carries about 20 % of global oil and gas. A cease-fire was brokered on 8 April 2026, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar. The MoU, called the “Islamabad Declaration,” would extend the cease-fire and lay groundwork for later nuclear talks.

Iran’s parliament speaker, foreign minister visit Qatar for talks on US deal

President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Iranian spokesperson Esmail Baghaei and CENTCOM’s Capt. Tim Hawkins are the main public voices.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Iran seeks $12 billion (vs. $6 billion earlier reports) of frozen assets; 32 vessels and five tankers passed Hormuz in the last 24 hours. The cease-fire covers an initial 60-day period with a possible extension.

WION

Baghaei said Tehran has reached conclusions on many points but “no one can claim” a deal is imminent. Rubio said the Strait must be opened “one way or another” and that talks continue. Hawkins called the May 26 strikes “self-defence” actions protecting U.S. forces. Trump warned the U.S. would not “rush into” a “bad deal.”

Al Jazeera (website)

Israeli officials called the draft a “bad deal” over Iran’s missile program; U.S. Republicans oppose linking the Iran pact to the Abraham Accords, and Saudi Arabia and Qatar demand a Palestinian-state pathway before normalising with Israel.

Trump pushes Saudi Arabia and Qatar to recognize Israel as part of Iran deal frameworkManchester Union leaderRapplerSpecial Broadcasting ServiceThe National NewsReuters

Explosions were reported in Bandar Abbas before U.S. strikes; Iranian media said the area was “under control.”

Al Jazeera (website)

Frozen-asset estimates differ ($6 bn vs $12 bn) and the MoU lacks details on uranium disposal and Hormuz management.

WION

• “It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion. But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent – no one can make such a claim.” — Esmail Baghaei, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson

The Guardian

• “US Central Command continues to defend our forces while using restraint during the ongoing ceasefire.” — Capt. Tim Hawkins, CENTCOM spokesperson

Al Jazeera (website)

• “It will only be a Great Deal for all or, no Deal at all — Back to the Battlefront and shooting, but bigger and stronger than ever before — And nobody wants that!” — Donald Trump, President of the United States

Al Jazeera (website)

• “Either we will have a good deal or we will deal with this issue in another way, and we prefer to have a good deal.” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

The Guardian

Negotiators say the draft’s language may need “a few days” of refinement; if the MoU is signed, a 60-day window will address nuclear provisions, lift the naval blockade and release frozen assets while Iran clears Hormuz mines.

WION