Tehran: Iran has denied reports that it is holding negotiations with the United States in Qatar, stating that no meetings are scheduled with American officials in the coming days and that formal negotiations on a final agreement have not yet begun.
Speaking at a press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei dismissed speculation linking the Iranian delegation’s visit to Doha with talks involving US officials.
“In the coming days, we have no negotiation meetings at any level with the American side,” Baghaei said, according to Iran’s Fars News Agency.
He clarified that the Iranian delegation’s visit to Qatar is solely aimed at monitoring the implementation of provisions outlined in the recently signed 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), including Article 11.
Iran Says Preconditions Must Be Met
Baghaei stressed that negotiations on a comprehensive agreement cannot begin until several confidence-building measures outlined in the MoU are implemented.
Under Article 13 of the agreement, formal negotiations can only start after implementation begins on Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11 and those commitments continue.
Among those provisions, Article 11 requires the United States to make Iran’s frozen or restricted financial assets accessible under mutually agreed procedures while issuing the necessary licences and authorisations.
White House Confirms Planned Doha Visit
Despite Iran’s denial, the White House has confirmed that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner will travel to Doha for discussions related to Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that the meeting follows a request from Iran and that President Donald Trump wants diplomatic efforts to continue.
“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,” Leavitt said.
Trump Claims Iran Requested Meeting
Earlier, Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting following recent military tensions over the Strait of Hormuz.
“Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha!” Trump wrote.
According to Axios, the proposed meeting aims to ease tensions surrounding the strategic waterway after recent military exchanges between the two sides.
A senior US official told the publication that both countries had agreed to halt military activity for now, allowing commercial vessels to move freely while diplomatic efforts continue.
Iran Says Technical Talks Not Yet Scheduled
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi also rejected reports that technical working group meetings are currently taking place in Doha.
Speaking to Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB, Gharibabadi said consultations through mediator countries, including Qatar, are continuing, but no date or venue has been finalised for technical negotiations.
He added that the first round of technical discussions will only take place once both sides agree on the necessary conditions, timing and location.
The conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran highlight the differing public positions of both governments, even as Qatar continues its role as a key mediator in efforts to reduce tensions and advance diplomatic negotiations.
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