DOHA — U.S. envoys arrived in Qatar on Tuesday for talks with mediators on implementing an initial agreement aimed at ending the conflict with Iran, officials said, amid heightened tensions following weekend clashes in the region.
Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special Middle East envoy, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law, flew into Doha to meet Qatari officials, according to Qatar's Foreign Ministry.
Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said the envoys would not hold direct meetings with Iranian officials during the visit.
The discussions focus on a fragile ceasefire and a memorandum of understanding reached earlier in June that paused hostilities, reopened shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz and outlined technical talks on issues including nuclear limits and sanctions relief.
The envoys' arrival comes days after retaliatory strikes between the U.S. and Iran that threatened to derail the agreement, with tensions remaining high over navigation in the strategic waterway.
Qatar, which has mediated in previous rounds of U.S.-Iran diplomacy, is facilitating indirect talks. Iranian officials have confirmed discussions with their Qatari counterparts on implementing the deal and related matters such as frozen funds, but denied direct negotiations with the U.S. delegation in Doha.
The White House has described the meetings as potentially significant, while downplaying expectations for immediate breakthroughs.
Details of the talks remained limited as of Tuesday evening, with both sides continuing to emphasize mediation through third parties.
The situation is developing.
