Negotiations between the United States and Iran have begun in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, according to a Reuters report. US envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who met with Qatar's prime minister on Tuesday, are not currently taking part in the talks.
The talks in Doha have opened without the direct participation of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who met with the Qatari prime minister on Tuesday but are not in the room for the current session. The development confirms earlier reporting by The Zioneer (Wed 11:41 Jerusalem) that indirect technical negotiations were already underway; the full delegation-level exchange is now confirmed to have begun, though the senior US envoys remain outside the talks.
This is the latest in a chain of diplomatic steps. On Monday, the Iranian embassy in Doha denied President Trump's claim that talks were progressing, saying preparations 'have not yet begun' (Mon 19:39 Jerusalem). Later that same evening, Iran's foreign ministry stated its delegation was focused on unfreezing assets, not a final agreement, and that the memorandum of understanding had not yet been implemented (Mon 19:39 Jerusalem). By Tuesday, Iranian spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said a dialogue with Qatari mediators was expected Wednesday (Mon 19:39 Jerusalem), and Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya reported indirect talks would take place (Mon 19:39 Jerusalem). The thread shows a progression from denial and limited scope to a confirmed meeting now underway.
As The Zioneer has reported (Tue Jun 30, 11:22 Jerusalem), the resumed talks follow last week's mediated session in Switzerland, which mediators called 'positive and constructive.' The Qatari foreign ministry confirmed Witkoff and Kushner's arrival in Doha for preparatory meetings on Tuesday (Tue Jun 30, 15:16 Jerusalem), and US-Qatari meetings were held that afternoon (Tue Jun 30, 15:43 Jerusalem). Mediation is being facilitated by Qatar and Pakistan, with Egypt, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia also involved in the broader diplomatic effort (Thu Jun 11, 18:16 Jerusalem).
The precise agenda and duration of the talks remain undisclosed. There has been no report of direct bilateral contact between Iranian and US officials; the mediation structure remains fully indirect. Whether Witkoff and Kushner will join later in the session or remain on the sidelines is unclear.
8 developments
- DevelopingWitkoff and Kushner arrive in Qatar for Iran nuclear talks
- StrongQatar PM arrives in Switzerland as Kushner joins ahead of expected US-Iran deal signing
- DevelopingQatar PM talks with Turkish, Egyptian counterparts on regional security efforts
- StrongUS and Qatari envoys meet in Doha as regional mediation continues
Source and signal
- Internal intake