[Anchor]

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that a meeting with Iran will be held in Doha, Qatar, on the 30th, at Iran's request. However, Iran has flatly denied any such plans, suggesting another disconnect between the two sides.

Kwon Yeongin reports from Paris.

[Reporter]

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on his social media that a meeting with Iran would take place in Doha, Qatar, on the 30th.

Trump added that Iran had requested the meeting, but provided no further details.

In relation to this, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not specify the 30th, but stated that Middle East Envoy Witkoff and Senior Advisor to the President Kushner would travel to Doha this week to hold high-level talks with Iran.

While working-level talks were initially scheduled to take place in Switzerland around the 29th, it appears the meeting has been elevated to a high-level discussion as tensions in the Middle East have escalated once again.

[Karoline Leavitt / White House Press Secretary: The President certainly hopes that the peace process works out, and it would be in the best interest of the Iranians to sign a good deal with the United States, because the President has proven that he is not afraid to use the power of our military.]

Iran, however, has responded that there are no plans to meet with the U.S. in the near future.

Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister and representative for working-level negotiations, stated that there are no plans to hold working-level talks with the U.S. this week, and Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Baghaei also said that a meeting is unlikely to take place within the next few days.

They stated that the current phase is merely to verify the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) on ending the war, and that negotiations for a final agreement have not even begun.

They added that while an Iranian delegation is scheduled to visit Doha, Qatar, it is for the purpose of checking the implementation of the MOU, not for talks with the U.S.

Meanwhile, regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, which has reignited tensions between the U.S. and Iran, Iran emphasized that it will continue to block vessels that deviate from the routes it has designated.

Furthermore, as Oman, which had been discussing management plans for the Strait of Hormuz, expressed negative views on the imposition of fees, Iran maintained its hardline stance, stating it would establish a management system on its own if necessary.