Iran on Monday demanded the release of $6 billion held in Qatar while delaying technical talks with the United States under their memorandum of understanding. Tehran also advanced cooperation with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz as shipping traffic slowed after fresh vessel attacks. The developments are significant for regional diplomacy, energy security, and global oil markets.
President Masoud Pezeshkian said $6 billion of Iran’s frozen assets should be returned under the agreement with Washington. He added that authorities were pursuing the release of the remaining funds held in Qatar. Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said no technical working group meetings with the United States were scheduled this week despite ongoing consultations through intermediary countries.
در سفر به مسقط، اولین نشست کمیته مشترک هرمز با عبدالعزیز الهنایی، وزیر مشاور در امور خارجه عمان برگزار شد. ضمن مرور مسائل جاری در رابطه با تنگه، درباره مدیریت آینده تنگه در چارچوب بند پنج یادداشت تفاهم اسلام آباد و حقوق حاکمیتی دولتهای ساحلی تبادل نظر کردیم. pic.twitter.com/m26EBHWwhn
— Gharibabadi (@Gharibabadi) June 29, 2026
Gharibabadi also announced that Iran and Oman held the first meeting of a joint committee on the Strait of Hormuz in Muscat. Officials discussed Gulf states’ sovereign rights and the future management of the strategic waterway under the interim understanding reached between Tehran and Washington. The committee reflects continuing diplomatic engagement despite delays in technical negotiations.
Meanwhile, commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained below normal after recent attacks on two vessels heightened security concerns. The Singapore-registered Ever Lovely suffered minor damage, while the tanker M/T Kiku was struck by a drone carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil. Maritime authorities raised the security threat level as shipowners remained divided over using the route.
Despite the risks, vessels continued crossing the strait, including oil tankers transporting about 4.1 million barrels of crude. Industry analysts warned that continued security concerns could delay the recovery of Gulf energy exports. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical routes for global oil and gas shipments.