US Envoy Arrives in Doha for Tense Iran Talks Amid Military Threats
Diplomatic tensions escalate in the Middle East as US special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Doha overnight to lead talks with Iran. Tehran insists on no direct face-to-face meetings with Americans, with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi confirming an expert delegation's two-day stay in Qatar. The Iranian team will only engage through Qatari mediation to verify US compliance with commitments. Gharibabadi emphasized that technical talks will begin only once conditions are met.
US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran requested the meeting, scheduled to take place in Doha, with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner participating. However, Iranian officials denied approval of such talks, noting a previously planned negotiation round in Switzerland was canceled following escalations in the Strait of Hormuz.
Alongside diplomatic efforts, Iran is negotiating with Oman on new arrangements for the Strait of Hormuz, including tolls and shipping route changes. Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian issued a cautious yet firm message on social media, stating mutual understanding depends on US adherence to agreements and warning of decisive Iranian responses to threats.
Security remains fragile in the Strait of Hormuz after US strikes on southern Iranian targets prompted Tehran to launch missiles and drones toward Bahrain and Kuwait. Trump warned he might abandon talks in favor of military action if no progress is made. Global shipping operators face difficult navigation choices through three separate routes in the narrow strait, with one under full Iranian control, raising safety concerns and fears of US sanctions for dealings with Iran.
Economically, the crisis disrupts global markets, notably causing a sharp rise in plastic product prices across Asia due to supply chain interruptions of naphtha, a key petrochemical feedstock largely sourced from the Middle East. In Taipei's Sungjiang market, plastic bag prices surged nearly 60% since the conflict intensified in late February, with similar price hikes reported throughout Southeast Asia.
Further updates on the evolving situation are expected.
