Iran denies talks with US are scheduled in Qatar as White House to send envoys to Doha | World News
Iranian Foreign Miner Abbas Araghchi and US President Donald Trump. (File Photo/AP)Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed significantly after renewed exchanges of fire between the United States and Iran and an attack on a merchant vessel heightened security concerns, Al Jazeera reported. According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, 29 commodity vessels transited the strait on Saturday and only 12 on Sunday, a sharp drop from last Wednesday’s 70 crossings, when shipping activity had rebounded following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, the report said.
‘Doha talks’ in question: US President Donald Trump said Iran has requested a meeting and confirmed that talks will take place in Doha on Tuesday, days after the two countries exchanged strikes. “Iran has requested a meeting. It will take place tomorrow in Doha!” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. Earlier, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Miner Kazem Gharibabadi said no technical working group meetings between Iran and the United States are scheduled for this week, reported Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency. Meanwhile, a source told Al Jazeera that “communication channels created to de-escalate any incidents are in place and technical talks are set to continue.”Story continues below this ad
Multiple fresh strikes exchanged: The weekend strikes are testing a US-Iran agreement intended to halt hostilities during 60 days of technical negotiations. Following several days of fire exchanges near the Strait of Hormuz, a Trump adminration official announced Sunday that both the US and Iran have agreed to stand down, with shipping lanes reopened to free movement. The two countries had since agreed to meet in Doha, Qatar, on Tuesday to discuss outstanding disputes, Axios reported earlier on Monday.
Latest Developments
Hormuz standoff deepens: Iran’s Foreign Miner Abbas Araghchi said control of the Strait of Hormuz lies solely with Tehran, warning that any attempt to pass Iran’s preferred route will cause tension and escalation. Commercial vessel operators say the interim agreement is not reflected in conditions on the waterway.
Doha talks confirmed: The US and Iran have agreed to halt attacks and hold talks in the Qatari capital on Tuesday to resolve the Hormuz dispute, according to Axios.
Lebanon complicates deal: Iran has demanded a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon as a condition of any final agreement with Washington, further straining peace efforts.
Lebanon framework rejected: Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said Beirut’s framework agreement with Israel will not pass and will not be implemented, saying it fails to guarantee Lebanese rights.
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