US and Iran Hold Indirect Technical Talks in Doha as Diplomatic Efforts Continue

PUKMEDIA

The flags of US and Iran.

US and Iranian representatives are holding indirect technical talks in Doha on Wednesday as part of efforts to implement the memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the conflict in the Middle East, according to a diplomat familiar with the negotiations.

The diplomat said the discussions are being conducted through Qatari and Pakistani mediators and build on the progress achieved during the Lucerne summit in Switzerland, AFP reported.

The latest round of negotiations comes as US President Donald Trump continues to prioritise diplomacy while keeping military options under consideration. According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump has been briefed on plans for a possible resumption of large-scale military action against Iran but has chosen, for the time being, to pursue the diplomatic track.

The newspaper reported that Trump has told his advisers he is willing to extend the 18 August deadline for reaching a nuclear agreement, believing that launching major military strikes could jeopardise the negotiations and diminish the prospects of securing a deal. However, military action remains an option should the talks fail.

Speaking about the discussions in Doha, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al-Ansari said no high-level meeting between US and Iranian officials had been scheduled. He explained that the visit by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner was intended to allow consultations with Qatari mediators on a range of regional issues, including the negotiations with Iran, Lebanon and other matters.

Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani also met Witkoff and Kushner, reaffirming Qatar's commitment to its mediation role and its support for all negotiating tracks arising from the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the two US envoys reiterated Washington's commitment to continuing the negotiation process and supporting diplomatic efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement.

Meanwhile, Iran indicated that discussions on the release of its frozen assets would take place in Qatar under the framework of the memorandum of understanding. Tehran also stressed that it has no intention of holding direct talks with the US delegation currently in Doha.


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