US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Senior Adviser to President Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, are set to travel to Doha on Tuesday for discussions with Iran, the White House announced on Monday. This diplomatic engagement comes amid ongoing tensions following recent exchanges of fire between the two sides over incidents in the Strait of Hormuz.
White House Confirms Iran Requested Meeting
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the development in an interview with Fox News, stating that the meeting follows a request from Iran. "I just spoke with the president. Iran requested a meeting. Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff will travel to Doha to discuss the memorandum of understanding. On the sidelines of high-level talks, there will be technical talks," Leavitt said.
She emphasized that the United States remains committed to maintaining the ceasefire framework while warning of consequences for any escalation. "We're holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence. There were attacks on vessels that the president responded to, and that will continue to happen. Hope we don't see that," she added.
Trump Urges Iran to Reach Agreement
Leavitt stated that President Trump wants to see the peace process continue and urged Iran to reach an agreement with Washington as technical talks follow the signing of a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to end hostilities in West Asia. "The president wants to see the peace process play out, and Iranians would be best to sign a good deal with the United States of America," she said.
Earlier on Monday, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting after recent military escalation over the Strait of Hormuz and announced talks would take place in Doha on Tuesday, despite Iranian officials stating no technical meetings were scheduled this week. Trump wrote, "IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!"
Focus on Strait of Hormuz Dispute
According to Axios, the meeting in Qatar aims to resolve the dispute over the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen fresh strikes from both sides over control of maritime traffic through the strategic waterway. A senior US official told Axios, "We decided to stop all the kinetic activity," using military terminology for strikes. Another official said both sides will stand down "for now" and that "vessels can move freely" as technical talks continue. Both US officials and a third source confirmed Tuesday's planned meeting.
Iran Denies Imminent Technical Talks
However, Iranian officials rejected reports that technical negotiations are set to begin imminently. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, told the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) that no technical working group meetings are scheduled for this week under the framework of the 14-point MoU. "No technical working group meetings are scheduled for this week," Gharibabadi said. He added that while consultations with Qatar are continuing as usual, reports claiming technical working group discussions are taking place in Doha could not be confirmed. "Although consultations with Qatar, including regarding the follow-up on the implementation of the other party's commitments, are ongoing as usual, some media reports that technical working group discussions are being held in Doha cannot be confirmed," he said.
Qatar has acted as a chief mediator in negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Gharibabadi stated that the first round of technical talks will only take place once necessary conditions are in place and after an agreement on date and venue. "The first round of technical talks will be held within the framework of the designated working groups, once conditions are in place and after an agreement is reached on the date and location, and consultations in this regard are continuing through the intermediary countries," he said.
Differing Public Positions
Trump's announcement and Tehran's denial underscore differing public positions on the status of negotiations, even as Qatar continues to facilitate consultations between the two sides.
