US envoys Witkoff and Kushner hold indirect talks with Iran in Qatar after weekend attacks in the Strait of Hormuz

Envoys arrive in Doha

US special Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law, arrived in Doha on Tuesday, 30 June, Qatar's foreign ministry confirmed. The two are meeting Qatari mediators and officials, with discussions covering the full range of regional issues, including US-Iran negotiations and the situation in Lebanon. The spokesman, Majed al-Ansari, stressed that the Americans are not in Qatar for direct talks with Iranians.

“They are not here for their negotiations with the Iranians.”

Indirect talks via mediators

Negotiations are proceeding through Qatari intermediaries, and no high-level Iranian officials are expected to join. Al-Ansari said technical meetings had never stopped since earlier rounds of engagement.

“We're not expecting any high-level Iranian officials at the moment, but as I said, the technical meetings are ongoing... and they haven't stopped since then.”

Iran's separate mission

Iran is sending its own delegation to Qatar this week. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei denied any plan for a meeting with the American side at any level. Instead, the Iranian delegation will discuss implementing parts of a memorandum of understanding with Qatar, including the release of Iran's blocked assets.

“What will take place in Doha tomorrow is a discussion with the Qatari side about implementing parts of the memorandum of understanding, including the release of Iran's blocked assets.”

Strait of Hormuz crisis

A fifth of the world's oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the war began on 28 February. Iran's attacks and threats have halted tanker traffic, triggering a global energy crisis. Both sides traded strikes last week amid efforts to open Oman's territorial waters to both inbound and outbound shipping. Iran twice attacked vessels in the strait over the weekend, including a tanker.

Interim deal and next steps

The US and Iran agreed to an interim deal earlier in June. It requires Tehran to dilute its enriched uranium stockpile, lifts US-backed oil sanctions, calls for free traffic through the strait, and gives each side 60 days to negotiate broader agreements. The weekend crossfire, however, raised concerns that those talks could be disrupted.