Qatar: No Meetings Between Washington and Tehran Delegations in Doha

SadaNews - Qatar commented on recent speculation regarding the possibility of a meeting between the delegations of the United States and Iran, who are traveling to Doha this week.

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari said on Monday that the US envoys Steve Wittkoff and Jared Kushner are currently in Doha to meet with mediators and discuss negotiations, while no high-level meeting with Iran is scheduled.

On another note, the spokesperson confirmed that the $6 billion in Iranian funds frozen in Qatar "have not been transferred to Tehran yet and are subject to the 2023 agreement," noting that they are "designated for purchasing humanitarian goods."

Al-Ansari added that "a direct communication line has been used to de-escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and contain confrontations over the past few days."

The spokesperson explained: "We are coordinating with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the safe passage of vessels."

Washington and Tehran agreed to halt attacks that have resurfaced in recent days despite signing a memorandum of understanding in mid-June aimed at ending the warfare in the Middle East.

This memorandum, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, paved the way for negotiations aimed at reaching a final agreement within a 60-day deadline.

On Monday, US President Donald Trump wrote on his platform "Truth Social" that "Iran requested a meeting. It will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) in Doha."

Shortly after that, White House spokesperson Carolyn Levitt stated that envoys Wittkoff and Kushner "will head to Doha for high-level meetings this week."

A diplomat familiar with the negotiations confirmed to AFP on Monday that "technical teams will meet in the coming days," adding that channels for de-escalating tensions "are still active."

However, in Tehran, Iranian officials denied holding any meeting with the Americans, before affirming that technical teams will be sent to Doha this week.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqaei emphasized that the visit's purpose is to "follow up on the implementation of the obligations under the memorandum of understanding."

He stressed that "in the coming days, we will not hold any negotiation meetings with the United States at any level."