CAIRO/DUBAI, Aug. 27 (Reuters) — Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani is set to visit Tehran on Thursday as Doha seeks to revive diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.
Qatar has played a key mediating role between the two sides and helped broker a June ceasefire, but talks later stalled amid disagreements over sanctions and the Strait of Hormuz.
The conflict has largely quieted, with the U.S. military reporting no attacks on Iran for nearly a month, while Washington has increased economic pressure on Tehran and its trading partners.
Oil shipments through the Strait have fallen to around 5 million barrels per day, from about 20 million barrels per day before the war.
Qatar said the visit will focus on freedom of navigation and easing tensions, while Iran and Oman continue discussions over the management of the strategic waterway.
Iran has maintained control of the strait as leverage, demanding the lifting of U.S. sanctions and blockade measures, as well as compensation, before reopening the waterway.
The International Maritime Organization has recorded 70 incidents in the Strait of Hormuz since February 28, resulting in 19 seafarer deaths, highlighting the continuing risks to shipping and global energy supplies.
Photo: Reuters
