As tensions continue over critical issues such as the Strait of Hormuz, nuclear inspections, and the release of frozen Iranian assets, the United States and Iran held indirect negotiations in Qatar, the mediating country. The U.S. delegation was led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. However, Iran refused to meet directly with U.S. representatives, opting instead to communicate through Qatari and Pakistani officials.
According to reports from the New York Times and other outlets on July 1, the U.S. and Iranian delegations held separate meetings with the Qatari mediation team that previously facilitated discussions in Switzerland. The U.S. delegation arrived in Doha on June 30 and met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. CNN reported that while Kushner and Witkoff met with the Qatari Prime Minister, the Iranian side held separate talks with Qatari officials. On July 1, Kushner and Witkoff also met with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who discussed the progress of U.S.-Iran negotiations and emphasized U.S. support for a diplomatic resolution, according to royal sources. The Iranian delegation, along with representatives from Pakistan and Qatar, held a trilateral meeting to review the implementation of the U.S.-Iran peace agreement, as reported by Iran's state news agency IRNA.
The New York Times noted that the absence of direct talks, despite previous meetings in Switzerland, highlights the deep mistrust between the U.S. and Iran. Conversely, the Financial Times characterized the indirect discussions as efforts by both nations to prevent a return to full-scale conflict.
Previously, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) consisting of 14 points. The agreement includes provisions for the U.S. to ease economic sanctions and release frozen assets, while Iran commits to ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Both sides also agreed to discuss nuclear issues over the next 60 days. However, critics pointed out that specific discussions on sensitive topics such as nuclear issues and economic sanctions were largely postponed, focusing instead on broader, long-term matters. Additionally, both sides have shown disagreement on details such as shipping routes and tolls in the Strait of Hormuz since signing the MOU. According to CNN, Iran's chief negotiator, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, outlined demands in an interview with state television, including the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon, the withdrawal of U.S. Navy forces from the Strait of Hormuz, adherence to Iranian shipping routes, the collection of tolls after the initial 60 days, exemptions from U.S. sanctions on Iranian oil, and the release of frozen Iranian assets.
However, the issue of Lebanon is currently stalled due to strong opposition from Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election, expressed in a recent interview with Channel 14 that efforts to achieve a complete victory over Iran and its proxies are ongoing. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated in an interview with state television that guarantees are needed for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon and the end of the war, adding that they would assess the situation over the coming days before deciding on the next steps, according to the New York Times.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.