US and Iran hold indirect talks in Doha, US Navy searches for missing helicopter crew
Indirect negotiations between US and Iranian representatives in Qatar showed positive progress, while the US Navy continues a search for a missing crew member after an MH-60S Sea Hawk crashed in the Arabian Sea.
Qatar's foreign ministry said that indirect meetings between US and Iranian negotiators in Doha have made "positive progress" on issues related to a memorandum of understanding, and both sides intend to keep the dialogue going. The ministry's spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, posted on X that the next session will be arranged "at the earliest possible time" after Iran's former supreme leader's funeral ceremonies, scheduled for July 4-9.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that technical negotiators are meeting with Iranian and Qatari officials and that the talks are proceeding well, adding that the United States is preparing to discuss nuclear matters. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of an "immediate powerful response" to any Israeli attack and urged the United States to restrain its ally.
The US military commander responsible for Middle East forces discussed the regional security environment, including the Strait of Hormuz, with other regional military leaders, according to US Central Command.
Separately, the US Navy announced it is searching for a missing aircrew member after an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter crashed in the Arabian Sea on Wednesday. The cause of the crash has not been determined.
Oman has proposed a fee structure for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, citing the Malacca and Singapore Straits as a model. Analysts noted that similar navigation and security fees are charged in other natural straits, such as the Strait of Magellan in Chile.