Amid ongoing speculation regarding potential talks between the US and Iran, Iran has clarified that no discussions at any level are currently scheduled between the two nations. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei stated on Monday that there are no plans for a meeting with a US delegation, neither for Tuesday nor for the coming days.
During a press briefing, Baghaei said, “No talks or meetings at any level are scheduled with the US side.” He also clarified that the US delegation’s visit to Qatar is unrelated to the Iranian delegation’s visit.
According to Baghaei, the Iranian delegation is traveling to Doha to work on issues related to the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries—specifically Article 11. His statement follows reports claiming that Washington and Tehran had agreed to halt retaliatory attacks and meet in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
US delegates to visit Doha: White House
Earlier, the White House confirmed that US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump, would travel to Doha for talks with Iran.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also confirmed the development in an interview with Fox News, stating that the meeting is taking place at Iran’s request.
She said, “The President wants to see the peace process move forward, and it would be best for the Iranians to reach a good agreement with the United States.”
What Trump said
In a post on ‘Truth Social’, Trump stated, “Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha.” Commenting on the Doha talks, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, “The meeting in Doha might be important, or it might not. We’ll find out.”
At the same time, he stated that “we are winning militarily” and reiterated his condition that Iran must be prevented from developing nuclear weapons.
Why a final agreement is still a long way off
Although the Iranian side has agreed to halt attacks, they maintain that negotiations for a comprehensive agreement have not yet begun.
Baghaei stated, “We have not yet reached the stage of negotiating a final agreement.” He added, “According to Article 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the commencement of negotiations for a final agreement depends on the initiation and continued implementation of Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11.”
The articles of the MoU outline key confidence-building measures that must be implemented before formal negotiations on a final agreement can begin. Under Article 11, the US is required to make Iran’s frozen or blocked funds and assets fully available for use under mutually agreed procedures and to issue the necessary licenses and approvals to facilitate access to them.
Baghaei also explained that under Article 13 of the 14-point MoU, negotiations for a final agreement can only commence once the implementation of the five specified provisions has begun and is ongoing. This means that the parties must demonstrate progress on the agreed initial measures before moving toward comprehensive negotiations.
Earlier, in a statement issued by Iran’s state broadcaster, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Kazem Gharibabadi, the Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, stated that no technical working group meetings are scheduled for this week under the 14-point MoU. The statement quoted Gharibabadi as saying, “The first round of technical talks will take place within the framework of the established working group once conditions become favorable and a consensus is reached on the date and venue. Discussions regarding this are ongoing through mediator countries.”
(With agency inputs)