Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejects Donald Trump’s claim of planned US-Iran talks in Doha
Iran on Monday said that no negotiations with the United States are scheduled at any level in the coming days, contradicting US President Donald Trump’s claim that the two sides would meet in Qatar to discuss the Strait of Hormuz dispute.The statement comes after Washington and Tehran agreed to halt counter-strikes following a fresh round of military escalation around the Strait of Hormuz. The US had carried out strikes on Iranian military targets after accusing Tehran of violating the ceasefire, while Iran responded by launching missiles and drones at US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait.Following the exchange of attacks, US officials said both sides had agreed to stop military action and resume technical talks in Doha. Trump also claimed on Truth Social that Iran had requested a meeting in Qatar.”IRAN HAS REQUESTED A MEETING. IT WILL TAKE PLACE TOMORROW IN DOHA!” Trump wrote.However, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei rejected those claims during a press briefing.”There will be no negotiation meeting with the American side at any level in the coming days,” Baghaei said.He clarified that an Iranian expert delegation would travel to Doha later this week only to follow up on the implementation of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), particularly Article 11 related to the release of Iran’s frozen assets. Baghaei also said any visit by US representatives to Qatar would be unrelated to the Iranian delegation’s trip.”We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement,” he said, adding that negotiations on a comprehensive deal can begin only after key provisions of the MoU are implemented and continue to be enforced.According to Baghaei, the United States has already issued the necessary authorisations under Article 10 of the MoU, which relates to Iranian oil exports, and Tehran is monitoring the implementation process.On the release of Iran’s frozen assets under Article 11, he said the implementation process is also under way.The 14-point memorandum of understanding came into force on June 18 after it was signed digitally by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Donald Trump following weeks of conflict triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran.The agreement includes a ceasefire, measures related to Israeli withdrawal arrangements in Lebanon, temporary navigation and security coordination in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as provisions covering Iranian oil exports and access to frozen assets.Iran had earlier cancelled technical talks scheduled for Sunday, citing recent US attacks and what it described as Washington’s failure to fulfil conditions under the MoU. Iranian officials had also said access to the country’s frozen funds remained one of the key conditions before negotiations on a final agreement could begin.Meanwhile, Trump said this week’s meeting between US and Iranian officials in Doha could prove significant, but played down expectations ahead of the talks. The meeting comes amid uncertainty over whether Washington and Tehran will resume negotiations following recent military tensions.Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said, “The meeting in Doha is going to be perhaps important, perhaps not. We’re going to find out.” Reiterating Washington’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme, he added, “It’s really very simple. It’s the denuclearization of Iran. We don’t want them to have a nuclear weapon — and they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”
