There’s a growing sense in Tehran tonight that diplomacy is gathering pace despite a broader agreement remaining some way off.
– Today, Qatar’s foreign minister and prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, is going to pay a visit to Tehran to meet with high-level Iranian officials.
– The aim of the visit, as per the Qataris, is to de-escalate tensions and create a platform for dialogue.
– This visit comes after a very busy week featuring visits from Pakistan’s army chief, followed by Oman’s foreign minister. Qatar hopes that all these discussions may create a platform for dialogue between Iran and the United States.
– We heard Omani and Iranian officials saying that they agreed on a framework for a temporary shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz, which is the most urgent problem in the region for now, alongside efforts to clear mines from the waterway.
– Qatar expects these negotiations may open the way to resume talks between Tehran and Washington. However, these expectations should be measured as both sides have different points of view when it comes to communication.
– Even so, this is an important development. After months of military confrontation, a diplomatic channel exists between these countries, though Iran points out that these talks shouldn’t be taken as a direct resumption of bilateral negotiations, as they are just talks with mediators.
– These are the main differences between the US and Iran. There isn’t a big expectation for an imminent breakthrough in this conflict right now, but all parties hope that diplomacy builds a new platform for dialogue and, hopefully, for the resumption of formal negotiations.
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