Iran has declined to hold direct high-level negotiations with the United States in Doha, with Qatari officials confirming that any discussions will continue through mediators rather than face-to-face meetings.
The clarification comes after U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting in Doha.
“Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
However, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said no direct meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials is scheduled.
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner, who are currently in Doha, are meeting with Qatari officials and regional mediators rather than Iranian representatives.
“Mr. Steve Witkoff and Mr. Jared Kushner are here in Doha to meet with mediators, with Qatari officials, and the talks will be around all regional issues… including, of course, negotiations with Iran, but also including Lebanon,” Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said.
“They are not here for their negotiations with the Iranians,” he added.
Al Ansari further clarified that, “To the best of my knowledge, there are no direct meetings scheduled between the two parties in the coming days.”
The development appears to contradict President Trump’s earlier suggestion that direct negotiations were imminent and highlights the continued diplomatic gap between Washington and Tehran despite ongoing mediation efforts by Qatar.
The diplomatic uncertainty follows weeks of intense military confrontation between Iran and the United States. Earlier this month, the U.S. carried out airstrikes on several Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting Iran to retaliate by launching missiles at the U.S.-operated Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. Although the attack caused limited damage and no reported fatalities, it marked one of the most direct military exchanges between the two countries in recent years.
Following the exchange, President Trump announced that a ceasefire had taken effect, easing fears of a broader regional conflict. While active hostilities have largely subsided, tensions remain high as both sides continue to exchange sharp rhetoric and maintain military readiness.
Against this backdrop, indirect diplomacy through Qatar remains the primary channel for communication, with mediators seeking to prevent renewed escalation and explore potential avenues for future negotiations.
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