US and Iran Begin Indirect Talks in Doha on Middle East War
Quick Look
- Indirect talks between US and Iran officials have commenced in Doha, Qatar, mediated by Qatari and Pakistani diplomats.
- The negotiations focus on a ceasefire, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran's nuclear program, building on progress from the Lake Lucerne Summit.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Indirect talks between the US and Iran, mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, are underway in Doha to address the ongoing Middle East war.
Indirect talks in Doha, Qatar, between officials from the United States and Iran aimed at ending the Middle East war have started, a diplomat with knowledge of the talks said on Wednesday.
The diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive talks, confirmed negotiations were under way after they earlier said the US and Iran were to hold “indirect technical talks on Wednesday in Doha with Qatari and Pakistani mediators”.
The Doha talks are based “on the memorandum of understanding, building on the progress made at the Lake Lucerne Summit” the diplomat said, referring to recent talks in the Swiss resort town and the negotiating framework endorsed by the two sides in June.
US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff are not taking part in the technical talks, the diplomat added, after they met with Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Tuesday.
Both the US and Iran had said they would send officials for meetings in Qatar.
The US-Iran memorandum of understanding, brokered by Qatar and Pakistan, includes a 60-day ceasefire in the war that began with US-Israeli strikes on February 28, the reopening of the blockaded Strait of Hormuz and a time frame for a final deal to end the war and reach an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.
Open Questions
- Will the ceasefire hold?
- What are the specific terms of the nuclear deal?
- What are the implications for regional stability?
