The U.S. is trying to convince Iran to refrain from charging tolls for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a new report.
Axios detailed that Washington argues that Tehran stands to gain more from a nuclear deal than from charging tolls for passage through the key waterway.
The outlet noted that parties face a 60-day deadline to reach a comprehensive nuclear deal, but two weeks in there are few signs of progress apart from a decision to deescalate tensions following a weekend where they exchanged strikes.
"We have reached an understanding that we will keep things quiet for the coming week, so progress on all aspects of the MOU can be worked on in a productive environment, without missiles flying," a U.S. official told the outlet.
Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that talks in Doha were making progress. "It's still pretty early, but talks are going well," he added. Special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with mediators in the country to continue technical aspects of the negotiations.
Mediators also said that "positive progress was made" in the talks "regarding issues related to the memorandum of understanding."
"Qatar & Pakistan mediators concluded separate meetings with the US & Iranian negotiators in Doha today, with positive progress made on issues related to the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, building on the outcomes of the Lake Lucerne Summit," Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed Al Ansari, and Pakistan's foreign ministry, said in a joint statement.
"The parties agreed to continue discussions over the coming period, with the next meeting to be scheduled at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader," the document added.
Iran will hold the funeral for Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed on February 28 at the beginning of the war. Officials said they expect up to 20 million people to join the events, which are set to take place in different cities across the country. They are expected to begin on July 4 and go on for three days. A main procession will occur on July 6.
On the following day, Khamenei's body will be taken to the holy city of Qom, then to Najaf and Karbala in Iraq. He will be buried on July 9.
