Qatar steps in as pivotal broker in US-Iran asset talks

Qatar has emerged as a key intermediary in talks over Iran’s frozen assets, with Tehran demanding guaranteed access to about $12 billion in funds held in Qatar as a precondition for any deal with Washington. Reports flag a potential mechanism where Qatar temporarily releases funds to Iran with later U.S. reimbursement, while negotiators also weigh broader issues like the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran’s nuclear program, and sanctions relief. The diplomacy underscores regional mediation amid hardline skepticism on both sides and a race to secure a framework rather than a comprehensive agreement.