Qatar Presses Iran on Strait of Hormuz Reopening

Diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz gained new momentum on Thursday as Qatar pressed Iran to respect freedom of navigation and Tehran agreed to draft conditions for restoring normal shipping. The visit by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to Tehran came as direct talks between the United States and Iran remained stalled, with Washington focusing instead on economic pressure. During his meetings with senior Iranian officials, Sheikh Mohammed underscored the importance of adhering to international law regarding navigation in the strait, a critical waterway that handled nearly one-fifth of global oil supply before the war.