Technical talks in Doha between the U.S. and Iran began Tuesday night and concluded yesterday. The U.S. has been pushing the regime on larger issues like its nuclear program, while Tehran has been largely focused on unfreezing assets and continued control of the Strait of Hormuz. The Times of Israel reports that President Donald Trump has praised the talks. The two sides have agreed to a communication channel to ensure the MoU signed two weeks ago is upheld.
According to two senior Iranian sources, Iran is determined to win international recognition of its control over the waterway and ability to levy fees on ships entering or leaving the Gulf, even if it has to do so by force.
Under this month’s interim deal with the US to end their three-month conflict, Iran agreed to let ships pass through the Strait for 60 days without charge. But it believes the wording of the agreement allows it to keep control of which ships may pass and which route they take through the narrow waterway. Iran is ready to impose its demands on the Strait through force if there is no agreement by other countries to accept its terms, the officials added, saying Tehran would not back down even if it led to renewed — and intensified — confrontation with the US.
In response to Iran’s efforts to charge tolls in Hormuz after the 60-day period expires, “the US message to Iran was ‘Think bigger,’” a US official told the Axios news site, claiming the sums Iran could generate from developing and selling oil after the US lifts sanctions under the deal “would be 100 times more valuable to them than using a gangster tactic to try and charge a toll.”
“We are pushing them to think bigger about their potential in the context of a broader nuclear and regional non-intervention deal,” the US official said.
Iran also issued a warning this week warning against any further U.S. and Israeli action as the country observes the state funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this weekend, who was eliminated by IAF strikes at the beginning of the war. The regime also warned against any interference in the Strait despite being told to ease restrictions.
The Fellowship and our supporters join the U.S. and Israel in observing America 250 this weekend, celebrating the values of freedom instead of the martyrdom of vengeance like Iran will be. We join each other in unity and prayer for shalom, peace.
