The Wall Street Journal has revealed details of a new and attractive "deal" put forward during the ongoing negotiations in Doha, where Washington promised Tehran to release part of Iran's frozen funds abroad, estimated at $100 billion.
Informed officials said the U.S. offer is based mainly on Iran's complete withdrawal from its demands to control the Strait of Hormuz and abandon the imposition of transit fees on commercial ships, in exchange for the release of those billions.
The path of understandings faltered
The sources confirmed that the indirect US-Iranian negotiations in Doha were initially moving towards a formula to lift the freeze on $6 billion held in Qatar, but the Iranian decision to close the strait led to the abrupt disruption of this step.
In the same context, Axios quoted a senior US official as saying that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who recently visited Doha, tried to convey a firm message to the Iranians that sticking to imposing transit fees in Hormuz could torpedo the deal entirely, calling on Tehran to think more broadly, given that the expected revenues from oil sales after sanctions are lifted will be 100 times greater than what it might reap from what Washington has described as "guerrilla tactics."
Iranian Grip and Military Warning
Upon his return from Doha, Iran's deputy foreign minister and chief negotiator, Kazem Gharibabadi, clarified that "the Strait of Hormuz is under Iranian, not American, leadership," considering that the financial incentives offered are not enough to change his country's strategic direction.
In parallel with this political stance, Iran's military has tightened its tone on the ground, warning that any ship that does not take the maritime route approved by the Tehran authorities will face an "immediate and forceful response," as Iran seeks to impose protection and security fees through which it hopes to reap annual revenues of up to $40 billion, which faces categorical U.S. and Gulf rejection.
Muscat proposal and the Consultation Chamber
Sources familiar with the matter told the Wall Street Journal that negotiators have begun to discuss an alternative proposal submitted by Oman, which has sovereign rights in the southern part of the strait.
According to the Omani plan, maritime and security services will be funded through a financial fund based on voluntary donations, with Muscat already holding preliminary talks with international oil and shipping companies to gauge their readiness to contribute.
Reports indicated that Tehran still objects to the Omani formula because it does not include direct payment of fees to its treasury.
In return, U.S. negotiators have received the Omani proposal with substantial reservations they intend to raise during upcoming talks with Muscat, amid fears that the plan will eventually be seen as an indirect form of tariff system that Iran will benefit from in one way or another.
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