Tehran confirmed on Monday evening that a delegation of experts would travel to Doha later this week to discuss the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the United States earlier this month. However, the Iranian foreign ministry stressed that the visit does not constitute negotiations with Washington.
“We have not yet entered the stage of negotiating a final agreement,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. “Over the coming days, we will not have any negotiation meetings with the US side at any level.”
The statement came after conflicting reports from US media outlets suggested that talks between the two sides would resume in Qatar on Tuesday, following an agreement to halt attacks after an exchange of strikes strained the deal. Iran rejected those claims, with deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi saying that reports “by some media outlets” on technical talks in Doha “are not confirmed.”
Washington’s Response and the Fragile Framework
Within hours, US President Donald Trump responded on his social media platform Truth Social, insisting that “Iran has requested a meeting” and that “it will take place tomorrow (Tuesday) in Doha.” White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt subsequently said US envoy Steve Witkoff and senior adviser Jared Kushner would travel to Doha for “high-level meetings” this week.
The back-and-forth underscores the fragility of the framework signed on 17 June, which gave both sides 60 days to negotiate a final deal covering Iran’s nuclear programme, sanctions relief, and the long-term status of the Strait of Hormuz. The deal has come under severe strain after an Iranian drone struck the Panama-flagged crude tanker M/T Kiku near the strait, prompting US Central Command to hit 10 Iranian military targets. Iran retaliated with strikes on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain. Both sides have since agreed to stand down, with a US official saying vessels could now move freely through the waterway.
The situation has drawn attention from European capitals, particularly as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) continues to monitor Iran’s nuclear activities. The IAEA chief has insisted that inspections will proceed despite Tehran’s denials, a point of contention that adds to the complexity of the negotiations. For more on this, see our report on IAEA Chief Insists Iran Inspections Will Proceed Despite Tehran's Denials.
European Involvement and the De-Mining Dispute
A further complication has emerged over the de-mining question. After France and Oman announced plans for joint operations following a meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, Gharibabadi pushed back, insisting only Iran was authorised to conduct them under the agreement. “The situation is sensitive and complex. We strongly advise France not to complicate it further with its provocations,” he wrote on X.
This dispute highlights the broader European stake in the region. The EU has long been involved in nuclear diplomacy with Iran, and any escalation could affect energy markets and security in the Mediterranean and beyond. The European Pulse has previously covered the EU’s strategic partnerships, such as Kazakhstan and EU Sign €10 Billion in Deals During Tokayev's Brussels Visit, which underscore the bloc’s interest in stable international relations.
As the 60-day deadline approaches, the coming days will be critical. The Iranian delegation’s visit to Doha may focus on technical aspects of the MoU, but the absence of direct US-Iran talks leaves the broader agreement in limbo. European diplomats are watching closely, aware that any collapse could have ripple effects across the continent.
