Iran Sends Experts to Qatar but Refuses Meeting with US Delegation

Iran has dispatched a delegation of experts to Qatar for a two-day visit, according to Iranian state media reports. The Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Arib Abadi, clarified that the delegation will not meet with US representatives who are also in Doha. Instead, the Iranian team will only engage with Qatari officials to verify that the United States is fulfilling its prior commitments. This announcement comes amid conflicting narratives, with Iranian officials asserting that the US administration requested the meeting, contradicting US President Donald Trump's social media claims that Iran sought the talks.

Iranian President Masoud Pezhkian emphasized Tehran's commitment to the memorandum of understanding with the US, contingent on Washington fully honoring its obligations. He stated that mutual understanding requires reciprocal actions. Meanwhile, President Trump, speaking to reporters in the White House's press room, expressed cautious optimism about the potential significance of the talks for regional stability but warned that they might not yield substantial progress.

Beyond the US-Iran discussions, Deputy Foreign Minister Abadi also reported notable progress in negotiations between Iran and Oman concerning fee collections in the Strait of Hormuz. This development suggests Iran's efforts to stabilize relations with neighboring countries alongside its diplomatic engagements with the West.