Iran has refused to hold direct negotiations with the United States in Doha, according to journalist Barak Ravid. Senior officials from both countries instead held separate talks over the past two days mediated by Qatar. The development follows a day of conflicting signals over the state of US-Iran diplomatic efforts.
Iran has refused to hold direct negotiations with the United States in Doha, opting instead for separate talks mediated by Qatar, according to a report by journalist Barak Ravid. Senior U.S. and Iranian officials conducted back-to-back mediated sessions over a 48-hour period, with Qatar shuttling between the two delegations.
As The Zioneer reported at 19:35 UTC on June 10, Iran's refusal to meet face-to-face had already emerged as an obstacle. The latest report confirms that despite the format dispute, indirect communication did take place — the talks were not suspended.
The development comes amid a rapidly shifting diplomatic landscape. Iran's public stance has oscillated in recent days: on June 9, an Iranian parliamentary official said Tehran is 'not in a hurry' to negotiate, while earlier last week senior figures signaled openness to talks. On June 5, negotiations appeared to collapse entirely, with Iran blaming U.S. and Israeli military operations. The current mediated format suggests both sides are maintaining a channel of communication, even without direct engagement.
The Qatari-mediated track has been the primary mechanism for US-Iran diplomacy, including past rounds that faltered over Iran's demand for cash payments and the U.S. insistence on tangible steps before any relief. The latest talks were reported by Fox News to still be ongoing as of June 10.
4 developments
- DevelopingIran sent no new proposal to the US, source close to Iranian negotiating team says
- StrongFars News: US retreats from some positions in Iran talks, Tehran reviewing offers
- StrongFars: Iran relays reservations on US deal via Qatari mediators, nothing final
- StrongQatari mediator tells Iran US withdrew new articles, returning to original draft
Source and signal
- Internal intake