US-Iran War News Live Updates: US envoys Witkoff, Kushner reach Qatar for talks but won’t meet Iranian side
While Steve Witkoff (right) is US President Donald Trump’s special Mideast envoy, Jared Kushner (left) is Trump’s son-in-law. (AP file photo)
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei on Tuesday said there is no need for outside interference in the Strait of Hormuz, arguing that it would only complicate the situation. This comes at a time when the UN trade and development agency warned on Tuesday that while the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz will bring immediate relief to energy markets, vulnerable economies remain at risk from prolonged increases in food and fuel costs.
Meanwhile, the United States and Iran put out completely opposite messages on Tuesday about whether they were planning to meet for talks in Qatar. US President Donald Trump said Iran had asked for a meeting and that it would happen in Doha. But Iranian officials said no such meeting was planned and that the two countries would not be sitting down together at all.
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However, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said it will send a delegation to Doha to follow up on the release of frozen funds, Al Jazeera reported.
Trump said the discussions would focus on Iran’s nuclear programme, declaring on Truth Social: “IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!” He did not identify the participants but the United States planned to send presidential envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to lead its delegation.
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(Photo: @realDonaldTrump)
Latest developments
- Ceasefire under strain: US and Iran agreed to a temporary ceasefire Monday after Trump threatened escalation. Weekend missile and drone strikes had disrupted Strait of Hormuz trade for days.
- Hormuz traffic rising: Ship movement through the Strait has picked up in the last 36 hours. More vessels are hugging the Omani coast, which could reduce Iran’s leverage over the route.
- Demining dispute: Iran rejected France’s plan to clear mines from the Strait. Tehran’s deputy foreign minister warned Paris against provocation and said Iran alone would handle demining.
- MOU talks continue: US and Iranian delegations will keep discussing the interim memorandum of understanding this week. Technical teams will also meet with Qatari and Pakistani mediators.
- Lebanon fighting ongoing: Clashes between Hezbollah and Israel continued over the weekend despite a ceasefire. Iran demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon for any final US deal.
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