Iran has stated it will not hold direct discussions with United States officials who recently arrived in Qatar to address the aftermath of recent conflict, creating uncertainty over progress toward a comprehensive peace agreement between the two nations.
According to Iranian authorities, the next steps will focus on clarifying aspects of a ceasefire, which was agreed upon two weeks ago, before addressing broader issues such as limits on Iran’s nuclear activities. The peace framework under discussion includes provisions for Iran to ease its control over the Strait of Hormuz in return for economic incentives, and outlines 60 days of negotiations aimed at reaching a lasting settlement.
U.S. representatives Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff traveled to Doha for what the White House described as senior-level discussions. However, Iran, along with mediator Qatar, clarified that meetings would only occur with intermediaries rather than direct Iranian counterparts.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said no direct meetings with American officials are planned in the near term. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed al-Ansari indicated that technical-level talks between lower-ranking officials are still expected to proceed.
U.S. President Donald Trump has considered returning to military action to resolve the deadlock, according to a Wall Street Journal report, but maintains his stance to give diplomatic initiatives more time for now.
On the economic front, Iranian parliament speaker and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran has exported over 40 million barrels of crude oil since the United States ended its naval blockade of Iranian ports. He noted that Iran is now able to sell oil at prices about 20% higher than before the conflict.
Satellite and vessel tracking from TankerTrackers.com estimated Iran’s crude exports had reached around 50 million barrels since the blockade was lifted two weeks prior. The ceasefire, signed June 17, led to a rapid increase in oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and has contributed to a significant fall in global oil prices, with Brent crude trading near $73 per barrel—down 40% from peaks reached during the conflict.
As part of the memorandum of understanding with the U.S., Iran agreed to permit free passage through the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days. Ghalibaf underscored Iran’s stance that the strait’s sovereignty belongs to Iran and Oman, and indicated that Iran’s authority over the passage would remain unchanged.
