KOR
▲ Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Trump, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff
Working-level delegations from the United States and Iran held indirect talks in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday (July 1), according to foreign media outlets including AFP and Reuters, citing diplomatic sources.
One source told AFP that "U.S. and Iranian officials have begun indirect working-level talks in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators, building on the progress made at the summit on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland."
A senior Iranian official explained to Reuters, "The indirect negotiations began on Tuesday night. The process involves Iran meeting with Qatari and Pakistani officials, who then meet with the U.S. side."
The official stated that the indirect talks, which continued throughout the day, focused heavily on Iran's frozen assets and the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
The Iranian working-level delegation, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, paid a courtesy call to the Prime Minister of Qatar and held meetings with the mediators.
Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani the previous day, but did not participate in the working-level talks.
Kushner and Special Envoy Witkoff later met with the Emir of Qatar to discuss negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, as well as the situation in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, sources reported that the U.S.'s top priority in these indirect talks is ensuring free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, and that intensive diplomatic efforts regarding the Lebanon issue have been taking place among the parties involved, including the U.S.
Previously, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said during a press briefing the day before, in response to a question about the contact between the two delegations in Doha, "We have no plans to hold any level of talks with the U.S. side in the coming days."
He added, "What is expected in Doha tomorrow is a discussion with the Qatari side regarding the implementation of several clauses of the memorandum of understanding, including those related to the release of Iran's frozen assets."
Majed bin Mohammed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also stated, "No high-level talks between the U.S. and Iran will be held," adding that "high-level talks will only take place if the working-level consultations yield results."
He further noted that Special Envoy Witkoff and Kushner, who are visiting Doha, were scheduled to meet with Qatari mediators.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.
