DOHA (Dunya News) - Qatar has confirmed that a US delegation is in Doha but said no direct meeting has been scheduled with Iranian officials, while Iran has also denied reports that formal negotiations with Washington are set to take place.
According to media reports, a spokesperson for Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and former senior adviser Jared Kushner are currently in Doha.
However, the spokesperson clarified that the delegation will not hold direct talks with Iranian officials.
Instead, the US delegation is expected to meet Qatari mediators to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran.
The Qatari spokesperson also said that Iran's $6 billion in frozen assets have not yet been transferred to Tehran.
The release of the funds, the spokesperson added, remains contingent on progress in negotiations between the two countries.
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The spokesperson further revealed that a special hotline was used last week to help reduce tensions between the United States and Iran during a period of heightened strain.
Qatar, in coordination with Oman, is also maintaining close contact to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that freedom of navigation in the strategic waterway remains a top priority.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump said talks between the United States and Iran were expected to take place in Doha on Tuesday, with the US delegation travelling to Qatar for that purpose.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had also said that Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were travelling to Doha for the anticipated meeting.
However, Iran rejected those claims, stating that no new meeting or negotiations with the United States have been scheduled.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the visit of an Iranian technical delegation to Doha is unrelated to the visit by the US delegation and that no meeting between the two sides is planned.