US and Iran negotiators head to Doha as meeting status stays uncertain

Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams arrived in Doha this week, but Iran said Monday that no formal meeting had been scheduled.

The uncertainty followed weekend missile fire from both sides that tested the fragile ceasefire ending their four-month war, Reuters reported. President Donald Trump is sending son-in-law Jared Kushner and envoy Steve Witkoff to lead the U.S. team, according to press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Will the US and Iran meet in Doha this week?

No meeting between the U.S. and Iran has been confirmed for this week, despite both delegations traveling to Qatar. Iran's Foreign Ministry said its technical team's presence has "no relation" to the American visit. A senior Iranian official said a Tuesday meeting would focus narrowly on the Strait of Hormuz, not broader negotiations.

Why is the US-Iran meeting in doubt?

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that Tehran will not hold negotiation meetings with the American side "at any level" in the coming days. The disagreement reflects the fragility of the June 17 ceasefire accord, which paused a war that disrupted global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. Each side has accused the other of violating the agreement's terms since it took effect.

What does the 14-point memorandum require?

The U.S. and Iran gave themselves at least 60 days to implement a 14-point memorandum of understanding extending an earlier April ceasefire. The agreement covers discussions on Iran's nuclear program and a path toward a permanent truce. Progress has been halting, with technical teams from both countries expected to meet separately with Qatari and Pakistani mediators Wednesday.

How has the conflict affected the Strait of Hormuz?

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz came to a near standstill after the U.S. and Israel struck Iran on Feb. 28. The waterway previously carried about a fifth of global oil trade. Its closure pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel, fueling global inflation and pressuring Trump ahead of the midterm elections that will decide control of Congress.

What is Iran doing to assert control over the strait?

Iran has sought leverage by asserting control over the strait it shares with neighboring Oman, saying it plans to charge fees to ships using the waterway. Tehran has also obstructed vessels that stray outside defined shipping paths. The U.S. has accused Iran of striking at least two commercial ships with missiles or drones in recent days and responded by bombing Iranian military facilities.

How did Congress react to the briefing on Iran?

Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio briefed members of Congress on Iran by phone Monday. Republican Sen. Steve Daines called the conversation "constructive," though he said remarks were kept to a minimum. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer disagreed, calling the briefing "deficient, and devoid of details" and saying Rubio confirmed Iran would gain billions in oil revenue while retaining leverage over the strait.

What happened with Iran's frozen assets?

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Monday that $6 billion of the $12 billion in assets frozen in Qatar would be released and returned to Iran, according to Iranian state media. He called the memorandum, which includes U.S. waivers on sanctions tied to Iran's oil and petrochemical sectors, "a great victory for the Iranian people." Oil prices rose more than 1% after the weekend hostilities exposed the accord's fragility.

What role is France playing in de-escalation efforts?

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday he was working with Oman to de-escalate tensions and would cooperate with partners to clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi pushed back in a post on X, saying mine removal must be carried out solely by Iran under the 14-point plan. He warned France against complicating the situation.

Israel has not joined the U.S.-Iran talks and has distanced itself from the agreement. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have also complicated separate efforts to end fighting in Lebanon, where Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally, has cast doubt on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.