Qatari Minister: Iran-US Deal Encompasses Establishment of Banking Channel

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi meets his Iranian counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi meets his Iranian counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
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Qatari Minister: Iran-US Deal Encompasses Establishment of Banking Channel

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi meets his Iranian counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)
Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi meets his Iranian counterpart in Tehran. (Iranian Foreign Ministry)

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed Al Khulaifi stated on Friday that the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran regarding a prisoner exchange and the release of frozen Iranian funds include the establishment of a banking channel.

According to Al Khulaifi, the banking channel would address several agreed-upon matters among the parties, without specifying the nature of these issues.

As part of the anticipated agreement, Tehran has relocated five of the detained US nationals from a specialized section within the Revolutionary Guards’ prison in Evin to a hotel under house arrest.

This marks the initial step in the agreement. Iranian officials have stipulated that the transfer of frozen Iranian assets in South Korea to foreign bank accounts is a prerequisite for the release of the detainees.

In press statements, Al Khulaifi clarified that the agreement was preceded by intensive visits by Qatari officials to both Washington and Tehran.

He emphasized that Doha has played a “central and fundamental role” in facilitating negotiations and dialogue between the two parties.

Furthermore, Al Khulaifi expressed optimism that this move would be followed by further steps towards reconciliation, affirming that his country will spare no effort in making additional endeavors to bridge the perspectives between the parties.

The Qatari official stated his hope that the Washington-Tehran agreement would lead to broader understandings, including a return to the "nuclear deal."

Al Khulaifi delivered a written message to Tehran, presenting it to both Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Secretary-General of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Ahmadian on July 23.

He engaged in discussions with Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister and Chief Nuclear Negotiator Ali Baqeri Kani.

Qatar hosted the most recent round of talks between Kani and the European Coordinator for Nuclear Negotiations, Enrique Mora, on June 21.



Saudi Govt Condemns Israel for Resuming Strikes on Gaza

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Condemns Israel for Resuming Strikes on Gaza

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

The Saudi government condemned on Tuesday Israel for resuming its attacks on Gaza.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Jeddah.

The cabinet emphasized the international community's responsibility to intervene urgently to stop the Israeli crimes in Gaza and end the humanitarian crisis faced by the brotherly Palestinian people.

Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the ministers on the telephone talks he held with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The cabinet reviewed the latest developments in the Arab, regional, and international arenas, reiterating the Kingdom's steadfast positions on these issues and its support for efforts promoting regional and global security and stability.

Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary said the Cabinet welcomed the conclusion of peace negotiations between Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as the signing of a border demarcation agreement between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The cabinet commended the launch of the Saudi Architecture Characters Map, which highlights 19 architectural styles that represent the Kingdom's geographical, natural, and cultural traits. The initiative will help in the preservation of urban heritage, the enhancement of quality of life, and the development of urban landscapes.

The cabinet discussed strategies to boost development and service projects and reinforce the social welfare and protection system in order to accelerate progress, harness potential, and achieve the nation's ambitions.

It also reviewed indicators of the national economy's performance and the Kingdom's credit rating upgrades by international agencies, underscoring the continued implementation of structural reforms and the creation of an environment conducive to unprecedented economic transformation and diversification, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.

Moreover, the cabinet expressed hailed the proactive security monitoring and response to drug smuggling networks, carried out in partnership with brotherly and friendly countries. He specifically praised the Iraqi Ministry of Interior for intercepting an attempt to smuggle 7 million amphetamine pills, acting on information provided by the Saudi Ministry of Interior.