Trump says Iran meeting set in Qatar, despite Tehran denying talks

President Donald Trump announced that Iran had requested a meeting in Qatar, a claim that Tehran swiftly denied, stating no direct negotiations with Washington were planned regarding a deal to end the Middle East war. Both the U.S. and Iran confirmed they would send delegations to the Gulf state, but their public statements diverged significantly on the specifics, including the meeting's purpose and timing.

The preliminary agreement between the U.S. and Iran to cease hostilities and reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz has been repeatedly challenged by clashes and contradictory assertions from both sides. Trump's announcement on his Truth Social platform was followed by a statement from his spokeswoman to Fox News, indicating that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and advisor Jared Kushner would travel to Doha for high-level meetings. CNN reported Witkoff was en route to Qatar.

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We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement. Over the coming days, we will not have any negotiation meetings with the US side at any level.

However, Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei asserted that while Iran's experts would travel to Doha, there would be no meetings with the Americans. "We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement," he stated, adding that "over the coming days, we will not have any negotiation meetings with the US side at any level."

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical point of contention. Iran's control over the strategic waterway has led to frequent escalations, including a recent incident where U.S. Central Command reported attacking 10 Iranian military targets due to "continued Iranian aggression against commercial shipping." Tehran claimed retaliation against U.S. bases. Discussions about the strait, through which a significant portion of global oil passes, have also involved Oman. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi mentioned the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee occurred in Muscat. Tensions persist over transit routes and de-mining operations, with Iran warning against any attempts to bypass its preferred passage and expressing sensitivity about de-mining efforts, particularly in light of potential joint operations proposed by France and Oman.

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The situation is sensitive and complex. We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations.