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US and Iranian representatives are expected to hold indirect meetings in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday, according to reports from Deutsche Welle. The talks come after the two countries agreed to refrain from hostilities following a recent flareup, a move announced by US President Donald Trump, though Iran has yet to confirm the agreement.
Coverage Comparison
Deutsche Welle reported that the meetings will address the situation in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, with the permanent opening of the strait a key issue. On the US side, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, are in Qatar for the talks. Iran's delegation is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, according to Iran's foreign ministry.
However, there are conflicting signals about the nature of the US presence. The White House said Witkoff and Kushner would attend "high-level meetings," but the Qatari foreign ministry said the two were not in Doha for talks with the Iranians, and that their meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was about "meeting the mediators."
The talks are expected to be indirect, as reported by Deutsche Welle, citing diplomatic sources. Iranian assets and funds frozen due to US sanctions are also expected to be on the agenda.
Key Claims
- US President Donald Trump announced that US and Iranian delegations are due to hold talks in Doha, stating on his social media platform: "IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA."
- The US and Iran have agreed to refrain from hostilities after a recent flareup, according to Washington, though Tehran has not yet confirmed this.
- Representatives will discuss the situation in Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz, with the permanent opening of the strait a main issue, according to Qatar's foreign ministry.
- Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are attending the meeting on the US side, while Iran's delegation is led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi.
- The talks come after the two countries exchanged fire sporadically since the signing of the memorandum of understanding between them, with Tehran's attempt to enforce its claims in the region a factor.
Germany urges safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
The German Foreign Ministry has warned that the Iranian war situation remains "fragile" and urged more talks between Washington and Tehran. German diplomats said on X: "The agreement between the US and Iran to stop mutual attacks and continue to negotiate is an important step and opens a chance for diplomacy." They added that it is now a matter of achieving "a sustainable solution for the safe, free passage through the Strait of Hormuz, and, in particular, for the Iranian nuclear program, which must no longer pose a danger."
The statement came after German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul held talks with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, in Washington.