US, Iran to establish direct IRGC channel in Doha as tensions over Hormuz persist

US Vice President JD Vance has said on Thursday (25 June) that the United States and Iran have agreed to establish a direct communication channel involving Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to help reduce the risk of further conflict.

In an interview with British news website UnHerd, Vance said the arrangement would involve Iranian and US military officials meeting in Doha to resolve disputes through direct engagement.

According to Vance, the two sides agreed that an IRGC representative and an official from the US Central Command (CENTCOM) would meet in the Qatari capital to address issues and prevent tensions from escalating.

Vance also said the United Arab Emirates has opened new channels of communication with Iran, including with the IRGC, and is holding unprecedented discussions with Tehran on various economic incentives.

Meanwhile, Iran has rejected any US-backed proposal to establish a separate southern shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz.

Abas Aslani, a senior research fellow at the Center for Middle East Strategic Studies in Tehran, said Iran favours coordinated transit arrangements for vessels passing through the strategic waterway and opposes any alternative route proposed under US pressure.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Aslani said both Washington and Tehran are still trying to shape future arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz despite their recent memorandum of understanding.

He said Iran intends to work with Oman during the current 60-day period to finalise new transit mechanisms and plans to impose service fees for vessels using the strait after that period.

However, Aslani said Tehran considers any move by Oman, under US pressure, to open a separate southern corridor as unacceptable.

He warned that failure to resolve the dispute over transit arrangements could undermine broader diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States.