Iran-US Talks Fail: Strait of Hormuz Still a Minefield

Negotiations between Iran and the United States in Doha this week ended without a deal. The talks aimed to release frozen Iranian funds, but no agreement was reached. Tehran has also failed to begin clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Iran continues to threaten attacks on ships leaving the Gulf without its permission. These are two key obligations under a June 17 memorandum of understanding (MOU) to freeze the conflict. Neither side has met them. The future of energy exports through the strategic waterway remains uncertain.