Qatar has said it could negotiate a plan for Iran to temporarily impose tolls to normalize passage through the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg News reported on the 30th.
According to the report, Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar's deputy prime minister attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, said, "Like other Gulf countries, we oppose permanent Strait of Hormuz tolls that burden consumers."
He added, "It is negotiable if (Iran) says it will use the tolls for mine removal or will use them on a temporary basis during a specified period."
The United States and Iran are in last-minute talks to conclude a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the war. The United States is demanding that the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively blockaded during the war, be reopened immediately to prewar levels, and it also opposes the collection of tolls.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned at a Cabinet meeting at the White House the previous day that if Oman joins Iran in moving to control the Strait of Hormuz, he would "blow it up."
The remarks by Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud are seen as a compromise proposed by Qatar, which is acting as a mediator, to help clinch an end-of-war deal.
Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Saud said, "In retaliation for U.S. airstrikes, Iran attacked the United States' military alliances, including Qatar, with drones and missiles," adding, "Qatar seeks to maintain balance in its relations with both countries and is exploring a comprehensive strategy to respond to Iran at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)."