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United States and Iranian officials are expected to hold indirect technical talks in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday as efforts continue to implement the memorandum of understanding designed to end the Middle East conflict and advance negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme.
A diplomat familiar with the discussions told AFP that the meeting would take place through Qatari and Pakistani mediators, building on progress achieved during the Lake Lucerne Summit. The talks are expected to focus on technical aspects of the agreement rather than high-level political negotiations.
The source said US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff would not participate in Wednesday’s session. Instead, the two officials met on Tuesday with Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, to review developments surrounding the agreement.
The memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, provides for a 60-day ceasefire in the conflict that erupted following US-Israeli strikes on February 28. It also includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and sets out a timetable for a comprehensive agreement aimed at ending hostilities and resolving concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.
Although both Washington and Tehran confirmed they would send delegations to Qatar, Iran rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that the discussions would be direct.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei confirmed that Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi would head Tehran’s delegation but stressed that direct engagement with US officials was not on the agenda.
“The officials have no plans for negotiations with the American side at any level over the coming days.”
Meanwhile, Qatar’s foreign ministry said Kushner, Witkoff and Sheikh Mohammed discussed “the ongoing talks between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran within the framework of the memorandum of understanding.” The meeting also reviewed recent developments in Lebanon.
The latest round of diplomacy comes as regional and international mediators seek to preserve the fragile ceasefire and lay the groundwork for a broader political settlement after months of heightened tensions across the Middle East.
