DOHA — A U.S. delegation arrived in the Qatari capital Tuesday for talks with Iranian officials, though Tehran disputed President Donald Trump's characterization of the encounter as a formal meeting, according to statements from both governments.
Trump said Monday that the United States would meet with Iran in Doha on Tuesday, posting on Truth Social that "Iran has requested a meeting." Iran's Foreign Ministry denied that any meeting had been scheduled with the United States but said it would send an expert delegation to Doha to follow up on the release of frozen Iranian funds, according to the ministry.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was en route to Doha, two U.S. officials told CNN, though it was not immediately clear whether Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, was traveling with him. Iran's chief negotiator, Kazem Gharibabadi, had earlier told reporters that no technical working group meetings were scheduled for the week.
A senior U.S. official said over the weekend that technical talks regarding a memorandum of understanding between the two countries remained "on track" despite a recent exchange of fire near the Strait of Hormuz. The discussions follow weekend strikes between the U.S. and Iran, after which both sides agreed to stand down, according to U.S. officials.
Separately, Iran's Foreign Ministry rejected a French proposal to assist with de-mining the Strait of Hormuz, warning Paris against actions it described as complicating a sensitive situation, according to a ministry statement carried by a state news agency.
Traffic through the strait remains a fraction of pre-conflict levels, with shipping continuing at a depressed pace amid lingering concerns over mines and drone attacks. This is a developing story.
