Trump announces US-Iran meeting in Doha despite Tehran denial

US President Donald Trump announced on Monday that a meeting with Iran would be held on Tuesday in the Qatari capital Doha, stating on Truth Social that "Iran requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha" . A US official told Axios that both sides had agreed to “stand down for now” and allow commercial vessels to move freely through the Strait of Hormuz while technical negotiations continue . Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would attend the high-level talks .

Iranian denial and mediation

However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi denied that any technical talks are scheduled this week in Doha, stating that "reports by some media about technical talks by the working groups being held in Doha are not confirmed" . He added that consultations with Qatari mediators continue as usual . Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also claimed that $6 billion of frozen Iranian assets held by Qatar would be released, though US officials say no funds have been released yet .

Context of the talks

The meeting would follow several days of tit-for-tat strikes and counterstrikes since an Iranian projectile hit a cargo vessel in the strait on Thursday, with both sides accusing the other of breaking the interim ceasefire . The US and Iran signed a 14-point memorandum of understanding on June 18, under which both sides agreed to cease hostilities and reopen the Strait of Hormuz . For Türkiye, which has offered to assist with mine-clearing in the strait and has urged both sides to return to negotiations, the conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran underscore the fragility of the peace process.