Iran rejects direct talks with U.S. envoys in Doha
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Iran said on Tuesday it would not hold direct talks with senior U.S. officials who traveled to the Gulf following the recent outbreak of hostilities.
Iranian officials said discussions on broader issues, including potential restrictions on Tehran’s nuclear program, cannot move forward until both sides resolve outstanding disputes over the implementation of the ceasefire reached two weeks ago.
The developments underscore the fragile state of the preliminary framework, which calls for Iran to ease restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for financial incentives and establishes a 60-day negotiating period aimed at reaching a permanent peace agreement.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner arrived in Doha on Tuesday for what the White House described as “high-level” meetings. However, Iran and host nation Qatar said the American delegation would meet with mediators rather than Iranian officials.
Qatar confirmed that Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was among those scheduled to meet with Witkoff and Kushner as part of the diplomatic efforts.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei dismissed reports of direct engagement, saying no meetings with U.S. officials had been planned.
“No meeting at any level with the American side has been scheduled in the coming days,” Baghaei said.
Despite the impasse over direct political talks, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said lower-level technical negotiations between the two sides are expected to begin, signaling that indirect diplomatic contacts remain ongoing even as significant disagreements persist.