Strait of Hormuz at centre of Iran-Qatar talks

Iran's foreign minister met Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister in Tehran on Thursday for talks centred on the Strait of Hormuz, as a US naval blockade squeezes oil supplies to Iran during a domestic petrol shortfall.

Iranian state television said Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, without giving details.

Qatar's foreign ministry said the two ministers discussed de-escalation efforts and a proposed framework for Hormuz between Iran and Oman. It said Al Thani emphasised respect for the sovereignty of neighbouring states, freedom of navigation and dialogue.

The visit followed separate meetings in Iran with Oman's top diplomat and senior Pakistani officials seeking ways to end the Middle East war and reopen Hormuz.

Iranian Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said on Wednesday that Iran could not import enough petrol because of the US naval blockade, according to the official IRNA news agency.

“Petrol production is insufficient, and because of the US naval blockade, we cannot import it,” IRNA quoted him as saying. Many Iranians have been seen queueing outside petrol stations in recent days.

Presidential chief of staff Mohsen Haji-Mirzaei said petrol quotas would be reviewed, without giving details. Iran heavily subsidises petrol, making changes to fuel pricing politically sensitive.

Iran has been in talks with Oman over a framework agreement that would establish a temporary shipping corridor in Hormuz and provide for clearing mines that Tehran says were laid during the war.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that Iran and Oman had agreed on each country's share of the waters and any revenues collected from managing the waterway. Tehran has said the strait will not be reopened unless Washington meets demands including lifting its naval blockade, unfreezing Iranian assets abroad and removing oil sanctions.

Since the war with the United States began on February 28, Iran has maintained tight control over Hormuz, a vital global energy conduit, while Washington has imposed a naval counter-blockade on Iranian ports.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said on Thursday that an unknown projectile struck a tanker in Hormuz this week, causing a fire that was later extinguished.