DOHA, Qatar—Iran said it will not hold direct meetings with U.S. envoys who traveled to Doha, Qatar, creating new uncertainty over efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement between Tehran and Washington following recent hostilities, according to reports by Reuters.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Doha for discussions related to the implementation of an interim agreement, but Iranian officials said no direct meeting with the American delegation was scheduled. Instead, talks were expected to proceed through mediators, including Qatari officials.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said that no meeting with the U.S. side had been arranged in the coming days, while officials from both countries indicated that technical discussions and indirect communication channels would continue.
The development has raised concerns over the future of a broader peace deal, as Washington and Tehran remain divided on key issues, including Iran’s nuclear program, sanctions relief, and arrangements involving the Strait of Hormuz, a major global energy shipping route.
The diplomatic efforts follow a fragile ceasefire agreement reached after escalating tensions between the two countries. The framework reportedly includes a 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a more permanent arrangement, including steps related to regional security and the reopening of the strategic waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a central issue in the negotiations because a significant portion of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passes through the area. Iranian officials have maintained that Tehran, together with Oman, has authority over arrangements governing passage through the strait.
Analysts said the refusal to hold direct talks does not necessarily end diplomatic efforts but highlights the challenges facing both sides as they attempt to transform the temporary ceasefire into a long-term agreement.
The international community continues to monitor the negotiations closely, with concerns that a breakdown in diplomacy could increase tensions in the Middle East and affect global energy markets.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
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