Qatar rules out direct US–Iran talks amid widening regional strain

By Nathan Morley

Qatar said Tuesday that U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are in Doha but will not meet Iranian officials, despite conflicting statements from Washington and Tehran about the nature of the contacts.

A Foreign Ministry spokesperson said the envoys will meet only with mediators to review implementation of the recently signed U.S.–Iran memorandum of understanding. 

The spokesperson also said the $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets covered under the MoU has not yet been transferred to Tehran.

Washington has described the Doha talks as part of the MoU follow‑through.

Iran has denied any direct negotiations are planned.

Hamas-Israel talks

In other regional developments, Hamas said its delegation arrived in Cairo Tuesday to finalise steps for a ceasefire agreement with Israel. 

The group is expected to meet Egyptian officials as the fragile truce continues to strain, with disarmament and reconstruction provisions still outstanding.

And in Lebanon, Israeli strikes on the south continued Monday despite a recently signed framework agreement. 

​The Lebanese Health Ministry said attacks since March 2 have killed 4,257 people.