‘Perhaps import, perhaps not’: Donald Trump says as uncertainty continues over US-Iran talks in Qatar
As the situation in the Persian Gulf remains fluid, conflicting statements have emerged regarding the
Uncertainty Over US-Iran Talks Persists
Theindiapostdaily.com – As the situation in the Persian Gulf remains fluid, conflicting statements have emerged regarding the status of U.S.-Iran discussions in Qatar. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that no formal meetings are planned between Tehran and Washington representatives in the near future, while President Donald Trump hinted at the potential significance of the upcoming talks. The absence of clarity has raised questions about the progress of diplomatic efforts, particularly amid the ongoing tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Iranian Delegation’s Focus on Implementation
Baghaei, speaking during a Monday press briefing, stated that there are no scheduled negotiations with the U.S. delegation “on Tuesday or in the coming days.” He emphasized that the Iranian delegation’s travel to Qatar is solely aimed at monitoring the execution of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) terms, including Article 11. “The U.S. representatives’ trip to Qatar has no connection with our own,” he noted, underscoring that the talks are a follow-up to prior agreements rather than a new initiative.
“In the coming days, we have no negotiation meetings at any level with the American side,” Baghaei said. “The fact that U.S. representatives are traveling to Qatar has no connection with the trip of the Iranian delegation, which is being undertaken to follow up on the implementation of the provisions of the memorandum of understanding, including Article 11.”
White House Affirms U.S. Delegation’s Arrival in Doha
Hours before the Iranian statement, the White House confirmed that Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy, and Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to Trump, would travel to Doha for discussions. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in an interview with Fox News, added that the meeting was requested by Iran and aligned with the administration’s goal of advancing the peace process. “The president wants to see the peace process play out, and Iranians would be best to sign a good deal with the United States of America,” she remarked.
Trump’s Mixed Assessment of the Doha Talks
President Trump expressed cautious optimism about the Qatari meeting, stating on Truth Social that Iran had requested the session. “The meeting in Doha is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not. We’re going to find out,” he tweeted. During a separate press appearance in the Oval Office, he reiterated the U.S. stance on halting military advances, insisting that the talks are a step toward broader objectives. “We’re winning militarily,” he claimed, while stressing the need for Iran to be prevented from developing nuclear capabilities.
“Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “The meeting in Doha is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not. We’re going to find out.”
Conditions for a Comprehensive Agreement
Despite the halt in strikes, Iran’s delegation highlighted that a final deal remains distant. Baghaei noted that the negotiation phase for a comprehensive agreement has not yet begun, citing Article 13 of the 14-point MoU. “We have not yet entered the negotiation phase for the final agreement,” he explained. “The start of negotiations for the final agreement is contingent upon the initiation and continuation of the implementation of Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11.”
“According to Article 13 of the Memorandum of Understanding, the start of negotiations for the final agreement is contingent upon the initiation of the implementation of Articles 1, 4, 5, 10, and 11, and the continuation of their implementation,” Baghaei said.
Earlier, Iran’s state broadcaster quoted Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi as stating that technical working group meetings under the MoU framework are not scheduled for this week. “The first round of technical talks will be held within the framework of the designated working groups, once conditions are in place and after an agreement is reached on the date and location, and consultations in this regard are continuing through the intermediary countries,” the statement said.
