US envoys in Doha to meet mediators but not Iranians, Qatar says

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. US envoys in Doha to meet mediators but not Iranians, Qatar saysImage source, ReutersImage caption, US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff took part at the first round of talks with Iran in SwitzerlandByDavid GrittenPublished9 minutes agoUS special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump's son-in-law ‌Jared Kushner are in Doha to discuss the US-Iran negotiations with mediators, Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman says, but they will not meet Iranian officials there. Majed al-Ansari told reporters that no high-level meetings or direct talks between the two sides were scheduled in the coming days. The US and Iran agreed to stop attacking each other and send delegations to the Gulf state following a four-day exchange of strikes triggered by a dispute over the reopening of the crucial Strait of Hormuz waterway.

The strikes threatened the preliminary agreement to end the four-month war between the US, Israel and Iran. US says it has agreed to 'stand down' after exchange of strikes with Iran Published23 hours agoUS and Iran exchange strikes and accuse each other of violating ceasefire Published2 days agoThe memorandum of understanding (MoU) brokered by Pakistan and Qatar less than two weeks ago committed the countries to halt military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, and immediately reopen the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of global oil and gas shipments pass. They also gave themselves at least 60 days to reach a final deal that covers Iran's nuclear programme, US sanctions and a permanent truce.

The Details

Pakistani and Qatari mediators said encouraging progress was made at the first round of talks held in Switzerland a week ago, which US Vice-President JD Vance and Iran's Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf attended. They also said a "communication line" had been formed to enable the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. But that failed to prevent the recent exchanges of strikes, which began when Iran attacked a cargo ship on Thursday following efforts to open Oman's territorial waters to both inbound and outbound traffic on the southern side of the strait.

Iran had warned vessels that the only route was through its own waters on the northern side. On Sunday night, a US official said both sides would "stand down for now", and that vessels could "move freely" in and around the strait. Technical talks would also "continue on all areas of the MoU", the official added.

The next day, Iran's deputy foreign minister and lead technical negotiator, Kazem Gharibabadi, denied that there were plans for technical talks this week. US President Donald Trump responded by saying that Iran had requested a meeting in Qatar's capital on Tuesday, and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Witkoff and Kushner would fly to Doha for "high-level meetings".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.